Vol 4 Chapter 114: Yugoslav National Congress

Since the annexation of Serbia by the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of the 19th century, Balkan history has changed beyond recognition.
With the strong rise of Bulgaria, it became logical to become the new leader of the Yugoslav nation, but Ferdinand did not intervene directly because of the fear of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but secretly small actions were indispensable.
In particular, the Bosnia and Herzegovina region, the region where the intelligence department is focusing on operations, is the Austrian Serbian region. Although Serbian nationalism has fallen into a low tide under the suppression of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the remaining resistance is still not small.
With the outbreak of the World War, the Slavic national independence movement in the Austro-Hungarian Empire rose again, which created an opportunity for Ferdinand.
Don't look at the Austro-Hungarian Slavic nations with seven or eight million, but many people are loyal supporters of the Hardenburg family. Count on them to rise up to build the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Except for individual radical organizations, most people are still very satisfied with the rule of the old emperor. It is simply not how serious the ethnic conflicts between the Austro-Hungarian Empire have been as it has been passed on in future generations. All ethnic minorities want independence!
Living in this era, Ferdinand only knew how prestigious the Hardenberg family was in the Austro-Hungarian Empire!
Even the Kingdom of Hungary, which has the highest death attribute, before the outbreak of the World War, most people were verbal eloquents. If you want them to be independent, you must first ask the people of Hungary whether they agree.
Therefore, even if the intelligence department has been in the Austro-Hungarian Empire for a long time, it has not planned a national uprising, and it is really impossible to make a noise.
With the exception of extreme nationalists, no one wants independence at all. After the death of the old emperor, the new Grand Duke Carl's ability was too poor to convince the crowd, and a series of faint moves frequently, coupled with the failure of the World War, and a series of unfavorable factors combined led to the collapse of the empire. !!
However, the core reason for the division of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was the 14-point plan proposed by the Americans. For the sake of their own interests, all nations were unwilling to pay high war compensations, and they became independent!
Of course, as the leader of the Yugoslav nation, Ferdinand did not worry that he could not find a leading party. The radical nationalists tried to break away from the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and establish an independent country. Naturally, they did not mind cooperating with Bulgaria.
From the perspective of these idealists, building a united empire of the Slavic nations is the best choice!
Well, it can only be said that the layout of the Russians in the past century has not been wasted, they still have fans!
Of course, the Russians are too far away, they are not enough in the Balkans, and these people naturally came to Bulgaria.
This is also caused by the unique cultural background of Europe. To put it simply, these people recognize that the Russians are the boss of the Slavic people, and they also recognize that Bulgaria is the boss of the Yugoslavia.
The Russians want to establish the Slavic Empire. They support it. Ferdinand intends to form a Yugoslav Federation. They also welcome it, but they also have to establish their own kingdom, principality or dominion!
Anyway, different groups have different interests. With the outbreak of the World War, the strength of these radical groups has grown like snowballs, and ambitions have naturally begun to grow. With the help of intelligence organizations, this has happened. A Yugoslav national assembly.
At the end of 1916, more than 100 representatives from more than 30 groups of the Slavic nation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire gathered for a "common state affairs".
What is even more amazing is that there are also loyal supporters of the Hardenberg family. Although their political positions are different, they do not prevent them from participating in this Yugoslav gathering.
Now it seems a bit annoying. If it was in the Middle Ages, everyone would not be surprised. A lord can be loyal to multiple countries at the same time, and he can also get titles in multiple countries, even if these countries are at war!
Although they are not lords, they are using their actions to indicate that they are a member of the Slavic nation, and there is nothing wrong with participating in the Slavic National Assembly!
Of course, if it is to make them anti-Austro-Hungarian empire, then we must consider it in detail. If the interests are sufficient, it is not impossible!
Well, this unique traditional culture hurts Ferdinand. Don't look like there are many affiliated groups, most of them come to join the fun.
This is why Yugoslavia was able to be established so quickly after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is also the reason why Yugoslavia was collapsed!
Regarding what kind of results the conference can achieve, Ferdinand does not have any expectations. Of course, for political considerations, this conference still has to be beautiful.
As the host, Ferdinand was definitely going to come forward, but even if he presided over the meeting, these people were not qualified to receive him personally.
"Prime Minister, I will preside over this meeting for you!"
"Yes!" Constantine replied confidently.
He has always been enthusiastic about activities that help provide Bulgarian international influence.
Reality tells Ferdinand that sometimes it is easier to buy people's hearts by maintaining a high attitude!
For example, now, Ferdinand only appeared once at the beginning of the meeting, and did not participate in the discussion at the meeting at all. These people will definitely promote his greatness when they go back.
Because he was the winner, he led Bulgaria to a strong position, and his high profile seemed to them, and the king should be high above him.
If he really participates, it is clear that there will be controversy in the meeting. Even if a nation comes to several delegations, conflicts of interest between them will require Ferdinand to arbitrate. No matter what he does, some people will feel uncomfortable satisfaction!
And close contact will turn "God" into "Human"! Since it is "human", it is naturally impossible to get the support of everyone!
Constantine thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, what will happen to the interests of the nations of Yugoslavia this time? If they ask for an independent nation, how will we respond?"
This Yugoslav National Assembly came very suddenly. At first, only a few radical groups wanted Bulgaria to support their independence. Naturally, Ferdinand could not attract the attention of Ferdinand.
However, the news was later leaked. The larger groups of influence in Yugoslavia basically sent representatives, and the specifications naturally differed.
I have to say that they still have vision, knowing that the broken ship of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is somewhat unreliable, and they want to prepare for the road ahead.
Huahua Jiaozi was carried by everyone. Since everyone gave face, Ferdinand naturally cooperated, so it evolved into the Yugoslav National Congress.
"This is indeed a problem, but the core of our current strategy is not in continental Europe, nor does it have the strength to take into account Eurasia at the same time!
You can tell them directly that the purpose of Bulgaria is to unify the Balkans. If they want independence, we can support them to build a country outside the Balkans! "
Although Ferdinand also hoped that they could be annexed and merged and assimilated, considering the complexity of the peoples in it, he still dispelled this tempting idea.
The Slavic nation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is as high as seven or eight million, and the beliefs therein are also in chaos. If all of it is annexed, it will collapse if it deals with ethnic issues later.
Moreover, Bulgaria is not Yugoslavia. If they are unified, this sphere of influence will penetrate deep into Central Europe, and it is bound to have a fierce collision with the French!
This has run counter to Ferdinand's strategy in advance to avoid conflicts of core interests with European powers. Bulgaria cannot change its national policy of expanding to the Asia Minor Peninsula for this purpose!
Constantine said with regret: "It is a pity that this great opportunity, if we are willing, we can build a Yugoslav kingdom!"
Ferdinand smiled slightly and said nothing. According to European ideas, the land on the European continent is more valuable than the overseas colonies.
If you build a Yugoslav kingdom, Bulgaria will naturally merge Croatia and Slovenia, and you can even cut a piece on the Italian mainland, such as Venice!
Of course, for the price, Bulgaria has become the biggest stumbling block for the French to dominate continental Europe!
Even with a lot of gains in continental Europe, Bulgaria had to give up a lot of colonies!
Obviously, these were very normal things at the time! I know this point about the German conflict. For Alsace and Lorraine ~ EbookFREE.me ~, the two countries have been hostile to each other for a hundred years, triggering two world wars, and ultimately destroying both empires!
From Ferdinand's point of view, this is very uneconomical, even if no matter how rich Alsace Lorraine's resources are, it's not worth all the effort for this place!
Now that Bulgaria continues to expand on the European continent, it is a big deal to add more than 100,000 square kilometers of land, and it has reached its limit. How can it be compared with the Asia Minor Peninsula in terms of actual value?
Although in nominal terms, the Asia Minor Peninsula is a colony, there is no one who stipulates that colonies cannot be operated locally, and no one cares if I want to!
Of course, Ferdinand in the Balkans is impossible to give up. This has a bearing on Bulgaria's strategic security and must be controlled in its own hands.
Open the map, and now the area of ​​Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria has completed the unification of the Balkans.
No, there is also the Balkan portal in Belgrade. Bulgaria is really the unified Balkan when it is taken down!
However, this problem is not big. In this era, the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina was only one million, and Ferdinand did not plan to completely merge. The most fertile and densely populated plain of Pannonia can let them go independently.
Note: There are some differences in the area of ​​Bosnia and Herzegovina in this era and Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Slavonia.
Simply put, Bulgaria only needs to accept hundreds of thousands of mountain people, and the rest of the region can rely on national self-determination. It is welcome to join Bulgaria, and those who are unwilling to join are not reluctant to solve the ethnic issue to the greatest extent.
As for the coastal Dalmatian Islands, Ferdinand didn't mention it directly. Without Italy, he didn't think there was any fool who dared to come and compete with Bulgaria for this site!
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