Chapter 163: Arms race

The Navy's shipbuilding plan was rejected by Franz, but the navy budget in 1851 increased by more than one million dongs to a height of 12.681 million dongs.
The attitude of the Austrian government to the navy can be seen in general, but no matter how much it attaches, it cannot change the nature of Austria as a land power state.
In 1851, the army's military expenditure rose even faster, soaring to 612.62 million dongs. The large reserve strategy was officially launched. According to the plan, from now on, it will increase 200,000 reserves each year.
The total military budget of the Austrian Empire in 1851 was nearly 20% higher than in 1850, and the pace of war was approaching.
How could the actions of the Russian as a neighbor be concealed from the Austrian government? Not long ago, Nicholas I levied a war tax under the pretext of expanding into the distance.
If there is no Russian-Olympic treaty, everyone may be skeptical and cannot determine the Russian war goals. Knowing the truth, the Austrian government has 99% certainty that the Russian-Turkish war is about to erupt again.
That being the case, the Austrian government naturally has to follow up. How would Austria's strategy proceed without the Russians breaking the situation?
Thanks to the Russian actions, the Austrian government's increase in military expenditures was not at all disturbed. In the eyes of the outside world, this is a normal reaction, and a neighbor like a bear should be vigilant.
The situation in Europe has always been triggered and the arms race is contagious. Although Russia and Austria did not intend to provoke an arms race, everyone followed up.
Governments have increased their military expenditures. The British have made an exception to the arms race. They have never participated.
Not all countries are financially so good. The Prussian kingdom, which has financial difficulties, has not followed up this time.
Frederick William IV was not a fool. Following the Russian-Australian arms race, the Kingdom of Prussia could not support it at all. Military expenditures have exceeded half of fiscal revenue, and if they increase, they will only go bankrupt.
The French, who had the same financial difficulties, followed up. Although the French government had no money, but the private consortium had money, it was sufficient to borrow from the bank.
This is the heritage of the old empire, with sufficient financial resources, which is why France, after Britain, has become the second industrialized country among the powers.
The industrialization of Belgium was very close to that of the British, but their industrial system was incomplete and many industries did not exist.
Although Belgium completed industrialization first, it still has less industrial strength than several powers, but it has advantages in some areas.
Vienna
The Prime Minister Felix said, "His Majesty, under the influence of the Russians' preparations for war, except for the financial difficulties of the Kingdom of Prussia, for the time being, no action has been taken, and all European countries have begun to prepare for war.
Just a week ago, with the support of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the French government passed the Expansion Act, and the French Army expanded another 50,000. After the expansion was completed, their total strength reached 436,000, second only to Russia.
For our next strategy, the French threat has risen to the top, and we must be vigilant and ready to respond. "
France has always been a traditional European power, and it has died for hundreds of years with the Habsburgs. The French army reached its peak in the Napoleonic era.
Everyone is wary of the French. After learning of France's expansion plan, the Austrian government immediately convened a cabinet meeting.
Franz frowned, knowing that this was not a trivial matter, and the French threat could not be overemphasized.
"How many garrisons are there in France?" Franz asked with concern.
It doesn't matter how many French soldiers there are, and they have a lot of colonies. They always need to be stationed. The key is to look at their local forces, which is a threat to Austria.
The Prime Minister Felix replied: "Before the expansion was 221,000, it is still uncertain after the expansion. The worst case is that all 271,000 troops remain on the homeland."
Franz was relieved. After the Russians took action, Britain and France would certainly help the Ottoman Empire. Obviously, there would not be as many French troops left in the country.
Since the reserve system is broken, it takes time for the French to expand its army before it can form combat effectiveness. This is the opportunity.
What worries him most is the restoration of the reserve system by the French government and the return to Napoleon. The war mobilization mechanism that can recruit millions of troops at any time is the most threatening.
Obviously, the military capabilities of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte are not bad. Otherwise, during the Franco-Prussian war, it would not be necessary to mobilize only 220,000 troops and rush to the Prussians, and they would be found in the ground with a force more than twice as much.
Perhaps it was because the losers were too unjust. After the war, the French had been dissatisfied. The British provoked and France and Germany became deadly enemies.
Franz asked uncertainly: "If the French were just using so much military intervention, should we be able to afford it?"
Professional questions, but also professional answers.
Franz thinks he still has a certain military level, and this level is mainly reflected in strategy. If it is specific to tactics, it is estimated that there are no problems in the battle below the command level.
Now this kind of action is the battle of hundreds of thousands of troops. Marshal Radsky, the chief of the general staff, has more say. He has played against the French army at the peak and has personal experience.
Marshal Radsky replied after thinking about it: "Your Majesty, the French army is not as invincible as Napoleon's era. After so many years of consuming, the invincibility of the world is long gone.
With comparable strength, we can have a decisive battle with the French.
If we wait for the Bavarian Kingdom to repair the railway and then take military action, then within a week, we will be able to reach Baden and keep the French out of the country. "
Since seeing the Austrian government's railway network strategy, Marshal Radsky has discovered the huge military use of railways.
Since railways can be used to transport goods, they can also be used to transport troops, and at the same time can effectively provide logistical support.
The South German region is not a dragon-tannery, and Austria has operated in these regions for many years. Sending troops is almost a sweep, and nationalists are the leading party. It is difficult for these small states to resist.
As long as the speed is fast enough, these small states will not be given the chance to collude with the French, and no major changes will occur.
It doesn't even take long, it only takes two or three months. After the political leadership has been leveled, these German states' troops can change and join the Austrian army to resist the French invaders.
With the support of the local people, Austria is invincible. France is no longer Napoleon's era and can be pushed all the way.
"Not only in the South German region, but also if the French intervene, it is also possible to work with the Kingdom of Sardinia in the Lombardy region and make us fight on two fronts."
Marshal Radsky shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter. They hit them. We hit ours.
If France dares to send the main force to the Italian region, the big deal is not to fight the Italian region, we will go directly to Paris.
In terms of distance, we are even better off. I don't know if we can capture Paris, but we can bet against the French government.
If we lose, we will be a Lombardy. If we win, the French will have to pay a lot. "
Looking at the dispute between the two, everyone did not participate tacitly. This is exactly the effect that Franz wants. If there is no contradiction between the Army and the General Staff, he will be replaced.
It has nothing to do with trust, this is the instinct of the emperor's balance technique.
If their companions are colluded, they will be deceived and concealed. It is not one or two emperors that have been suspended in history.
It also can't let people fight too hard. Everyone is busy fighting, who is going to do things?
After thinking about it, Prince Wendy Schgrez retorted: "The French aren't paperless. How can they be overcome in a short time?
Once unable to conquer Paris, the war was at an impasse, and the French's advantage in local warfare was manifested, and they could quickly mobilize hundreds of thousands of cannon fodder.
These cannon fodder units have not been trained, but when defending the country, they can still rely on morale to make up for the lack of training.
At that time subject to logistical supplies, we still have to quit in vain, and the lost Italy is difficult to recover. "
Marshal Radsky reluctantly said: "Even if we can't overcome Paris, we can make the French vitally hurt.
They can concentrate their forces to defend Paris, and they will not be guarded in other areas. If they refuse to compromise, we will burn and plunder all the way and destroy their industrial and commercial system in the northeast.
Others dare not say that millions of homeless refugees have been created, and these people have been urged to rob, plunder, and spread chaos throughout France.
They are too busy in their own country. Can they withdraw their troops from Italy? Just a Sardinian kingdom still able to stop us from recovering the Italian region? "
Sure enough, the old guys are all fierce characters. If this is the case, it is estimated that the French will not be able to recover their vitality for more than ten years, and Austria and France have become rivals.
What if Franz chooses? Of course it did. Anyway, they have become enemies. What is the difference between doing 50 and doing 100?
Revenge is revenge, who is afraid of who? It's a big deal for the British to be grandchildren without challenging sea power. Austria's geographical location determines that threats from the sea are almost zero.
After laying down the French once, the army soul was hit. After the unification of the South German region, the Austrian Empire was completely reborn.
Metternich became a peacemaker and said with a smile: "The two don't want to be so angry. As long as we choose the right time and cause the established facts, the French are likely to acquiesce.
They are not fools. If I invest 300,000 to 400,000 troops in the South German region, how can they risk sending troops if they do not have the same strength?
Moreover, the French want to intervene in us. The best way to send troops is from Rhineland. Will the Kingdom of Prussia dare to excuse them?
When we do, most of the Prussian kingdom will follow up. The French objected to our unification of the South German region. Would we like to watch the Prussian kingdom unify the North German region?
They looked down on the land of the German Federation west of the Rhine, and a powerful Prussian kingdom was not in their interest.
In the future, we will remain allies with Prussia in dealing with the French. "
After listening to Metternich's explanation, everyone looked happy. Persimmons are looking for soft pinch, bullying and fearing is the theme of this era.
What the French wanted was not in the hands of Austria. Even if they intervened in the German regional unification, it was essentially for the benefit.
Instead, the Kingdom of Prussia wanted to preserve the territory west of the Rhine and had to die with the French. Want to compromise? Do domestic nationalists agree?
Franz said slowly, "Well, the French problem is over. The problem is the arms race in Europe. Our good neighbor, the Kingdom of Prussia, can't support it anymore.
It seems that this Pudan war has not been defeated in a short time, and it is difficult for the Kingdom of Prussia to get out of difficulties in the short term, which is also a good thing for us.
Judging from the current situation, the time for the Russians to wage war should be 1851, and no later than 1852. Should we upgrade the arms race? "
There is no doubt that the only countries on the European continent that can threaten Austria are Russia, France and Russia. Now that the Kingdom of Prussia has fallen into a financial crisis and cannot keep up, at this time the escalation arms race is the three countries of Russia, France and Austria.
Prime Minister Felix gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, we can bet that after the Russians provoked the war, British and French troops would intervene and the opportunity for war to unify the South German region appeared.
Now to upgrade the arms race, first eliminate the Kingdom of Prussia and then say that if there is one less competitor, we have more chances of success.
Lose the bet, it ’s a big deal to implement the Balkan strategy first, how can you not lose! "
How could it not be lost? In the eyes of Prime Minister Felix, not going west to Germany and running to divide up the Balkans was a loss-making deal.
But in order to gain the support of the Balkans, he also cut out. The fighters appeared to reunite the South German region. Without them, they could only scratch the rabbit and go to the Balkans to make up for the losses.
Marshal Radsky said with excitement: "Your Majesty, this risk is worth taking. If you lose, it will be tens of millions of shields. If you win, you will be South Germany!"
It did lose, and the military expenditure of tens of millions of dongs. This is not a complete waste, as a result, military strength has been increased.
The Austrian government is not an iron head.
If the international situation is unfavorable and you cannot go west, you can go to the south to bully the Ottoman Empire and make up for the losses. Even if Russia really ran to the Far East to eat ice cubes, Austria would not go it alone.
With this in mind, Franz had already made a decision.
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