The Shadow of Great Britain

392: Chapter 230: Flowers, Swords, Poland, and France (6K4)_2 392: Chapter 230: Flowers, Swords, Poland, and France (6K4)_2 Talleyrand nodded slightly, “In that case, Peel does seem rather outstanding.

At least he knows to view issues from a dynamic perspective, much better than Palmerston.”

Lionel’s eyes shifted slightly upon hearing this, and he asked with a smile, “Did Viscount Palmerston have some unpleasantness with you?”

Talleyrand glanced at Lionel and said with an appearance of nonchalance, “If he could learn to speak with foreign envoys with a respectful attitude, I believe he could do much better in the Foreign Office.

Or rather, I at least hope he could show France half the respect he accords to Russia.”

Agares, lying atop an acacia tree and nibbling on an apple, couldn’t help but snicker at this scene, “One wants to listen, the other wants to speak.

But on the surface, they’re dithering, tepid in their approach, just like nagging old women, the same as their mothers.”

Upon hearing these words, Arthur only glanced at the Red Devil, “Agares, I understand your grumbles, but we humans usually call this ‘diplomacy.’”

Lionel quickly followed up, querying Talleyrand, “What did he say to you?”

Talleyrand coughed twice and, imitating Palmerston’s formal and serious tone, said, “I believe, even if Britain were to mediate the Polish issue amicably, it would still be rejected by Russia.

Moreover, the major powers had just recently rejected the proposition put forward by France to intervene in the Polish issue.”

In the case that friendly mediation would be rejected by Russia, the intervention of Britain and France in the Polish issue would necessarily be coercive.

However, the close partnership between St.

James’s Palace and St.

Petersburg does not allow the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to intervene in such a manner.

Besides, Russia’s possession of Poland was already confirmed in the “Treaty of Vienna.” And I am also quite certain that the current Tsar of Russia is a strong and forceful monarch.

Therefore, for Britain and France to undertake military intervention against a strong monarch with an inarguable right, the timing is far from ripe, looking at the current situation.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur finally understood why Talleyrand was displeased today.

While Palmerston’s words seemed logically sound at first glance, upon closer scrutiny, there was not one part that made sense.

Firstly, based on the recent news reports, not all the great powers have refused to get involved in the Polish issue.

For instance, the Austrian Prime Minister Metternich, who once stood in the same trench with the Russians on the issue of Belgian independence, was beginning to feel uneasy about the Polish issue.

The Austrians had been reluctant to let Belgium become independent from the Netherlands previously because they hoped to use a unified and powerful Netherlands to hinder France’s eastward expansion.

Similarly, Austria did not wish for Russia to swallow Poland whole but instead wanted Poland to act as a buffer between Austria and Tsarist Russia.

Therefore, Palmerston lied in the first part of his statement.

And in the second part, he escalated the level of intervention to armed intervention, which was practically a direct threat to France – either do not intervene, or be prepared to fight Russia.

Moreover, once France went to war with Russia, Britain would not provide any form of assistance to France.

As for the third part, about the “Treaty of Vienna,” it was even more brazen.

In the “Treaty of Vienna,” Russia’s possession of Poland was conditional, namely, Russia had to respect the Polish constitution of 1815.

The reason France and Austria wanted to intervene in Poland was precisely because this condition had now been completely disregarded.

Lionel was somewhat surprised after hearing this, “This…

this is really what Viscount Palmerston said?

That he didn’t actively seek trouble with Russia was already surprising to me, but according to this statement, is he planning to completely write off Poland without seeking any compensation from Russia?

This doesn’t align with everyone’s impression of him, for ever since he entered the political arena, he has always been known for his tough image!”

Arthur responded softly, “Lionel, that just means you still don’t understand Viscount Palmeston.

Palmeston has always been tough toward the weak, but when facing strong adversaries, his attitude can be summarized by a speech he made early in his career in Parliament.”

Talleyrand, intrigued by these words, asked, “What did he say in Parliament?”

Arthur spoke, “Someone wants us to make threats during negotiations, regardless of whether we’re prepared for war in case the negotiations fail.

If we always talk about war but actually desire neutrality, if we use the military to threaten but then hide behind official documents, if we brandish our swords provocatively during discussions, but then pick up a pen to write protests when it’s time to fight, we become blustering cowards.

This will not only result in derision and ridicule from all over Europe, but from henceforth no one will take our words seriously.”

After pondering for a moment, Talleyrand inquired further, “When was this said?”

Arthur massaged his temples, “If the archive records are not mistaken, it should be in 1823, when France, at the behest of the Holy Alliance, sent troops to intervene in the Spanish revolution.

At that time, many liberal members of Parliament believed that Britain should immediately embark on an expedition to support the progressive forces of freedom and assist the revolutionary constitutional government of Spain.”