22 November, 1830. London, England
The talks had been proceeding for nearly three weeks so far, and no resoultuion has yet been reached. But events were about to overtake the conference.
Prince Talleyrand knew he had a serpent coiled around his neck with the news he was bringing to the conference. Yet he knew it would be even worse for France if they did not tell the other great powers.
Talleyrand rose and began, "on November 9th, the Belgian Provisional Government requested that the Kingdom of France send an expedition to helo them quell the province of Flanders and force them to accept orders from the Belgian government." He knew the next part was going to not set well with the other powers, especially Prussia and Britain. "His Majesty, on November 13th, therefore has dispatched an expedition under the command of the Count de Pontécoulant in aquiscience to the Belgian request."
The new British participant, Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, who was appointed Foreign Secretary when the Duke of Wellington resigned as Prime Minister, and Lord Aberdeen resigned as Foreign Secretary to show solidarity with his friend, stood and began.
"His Majesty's government, while supporting the idea of an independant and neutral Belgium, views this current action by the Kingdom of France as worrisome and therefore not in the best interest of the United Kingdom."
"His Majesty has sent word that as soon as Flanders has been quelled the French armed forces will be withdrawn." Talleyrand was quick to add.
Palmerston was taken aback by the pronouncement that the French would withdraw once their mission was complete. And as far as he was concerned as long as the French withdrew, he saw no reason to stop them, since he, in point of fact, fully supported the independence of Belgium.
"In light of the French dignitaries revelation, His Majesties government, conditionally, supports the French action."
The look on Talleyrand's face said it all, the support of Great Britain was the most desired option since it gave France more leeway.
Metternich was quick to join in, "we have seen French 'assurances' before. How are we to believe them now? Everyone in this room knows of the French desire to recover Belgium," the last said with barely concealed contempt.
"Monseiur Metternich, the only assurance I can give you is the word of my King, unless you are willing to say the King of France is a liar?" The rest of the room perked up at this, knowing of Metternich said the wrong thing Austrai would be ostracized in the eyes of the other monarchs.
Metternich could feel the rise in tension after Talleyrand's last question. No one ever called another nation's monarch a liar, even in time of war.
"That assurance is good enough for His Imperial Majesty's government." Metternich deftly sidestepped the liar issue with ease. As was expected by the other diplomats.
Palmerston smiled to himself, Talleyrand and Metternich have been enemies ever since the Congress of Vienna, and watching them verbally spar is a bloody good show.
"Do the representatives from Russia and Prussia have anything to say about the actions of the Kingdom of France?"
To be continued by Haegan and Gav.
_________________ Benno the Mad Wrote:
man, you gotta realise that thor and bos fell out of the patriot tree (like the ugly tree, but instills patriotism instead of ugly) and hit every branch on the way down.
"Gone now, dispersed by the brutal destruction of this one day, was the belief that the Darkman and his army of the dead were so superior as to be invincible. By attempting to destroy the morale of the Marines, the Darkman had restored it to full vigor. Dia De La Muerto had failed in its objectives."
The Gunny: Stand of the 300
Si vis pacem, para bellum
If you want peace, prepare for war
Gunny's color #FF2400
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