CHAPTER 571: CHAPTER 562: THE DIPLOMATIC WORLD "GAMBIA

Although the Earl of Clarendon verbally refused to answer James Buchanan’s questions, every word he spoke hinted to James Buchanan that the Kingdom of Britain’s refusal of the United States of America was related to the French Empire, and significantly so.

Therefore, the Earl of Clarendon’s refusal to answer was an implicit consent in James Buchanan’s ears.

What on earth is that guy Mason doing! He can’t even handle such a small matter!

James Buchanan internally cursed Mason, who was far away in Paris.

James Buchanan put in a lot of effort, both in relationship-building and gift-giving (to Palmerston and Newcastle), to successfully negotiate with the British side. According to James Buchanan’s estimation, it would only take about two months before American merchant ships could sail unimpeded in the Baltic Sea and earn gold coins from the Russian Empire.

It’s important to know that the current Russian Empire is completely blocked by England and France, and many supplies and equipment (mainly machinery) cannot be obtained from these two countries. The Russians can only trade with the next best option, the United States of America. To the factory owners in the United States, these goods are considered inferior, but all it requires is a decent cargo ship, and then these can be resold to the Russian Empire at a profit exceeding 20% of the original price.

This is no longer just huge profits; it’s outright robbery. As long as England and France continue their war with the Russian Empire, they can continuously drain the Russian Empire’s finances.

However, due to an error on the part of Ambassador Mason in Paris, James Buchanan’s hard-won financial route was cut off.

Right now, James Buchanan couldn’t be more angry with Ambassador Mason.

However, complaint aside, James Buchanan still wanted to try to see if there was a chance to persuade Britain to change its mind.

"Your Excellency, I believe this is a matter between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Britain and does not require excessive concession to the French Empire! Furthermore, the United States of America has not sold any contraband to the Russian Empire! All of the United States’ trading activities are based on British law!" James Buchanan attempted to use a humble approach to gain sympathy from the Kingdom of Britain while subtly sowing discord between England and France.

Of course, James Buchanan can’t really be considered as instigating; the time when England and France cooperated was far less than the time they were in conflict, and the Crimean War was merely a temporary alliance.

Both the French Empire and the Kingdom of Britain knew that once the Crimean War ended, the relationship between England and France was unlikely to return to what it is now.

Unless they shared a common enemy, very few countries in the world could offend England and France without getting a beating.

"Ambassador Buchanan, we are not accommodating the French Empire but are considering the situation subjectively based on the current form!" The Earl of Clarendon continued using Europe’s unique diplomatic rhetoric to play tai chi with Buchanan: "The United Kingdom and France are united under the premise of mutual tolerance at this stage. On issues related to the Russian Empire, we must coordinate with the French Empire!"

The Earl of Clarendon’s meaning was simple, that Britain couldn’t forsake the French Empire.

As for why it couldn’t abandon the French Empire, just look at the proportion of their forces on the Crimean Peninsula.

[By the way, regarding British military preparedness: Since the start of the Crimean War to the present, the number of soldiers recruited in the British homeland is less than 30,000, and most of them are vagrants rounded up from the streets.

The British army presently is far from the grand armies envisioned by Commander Lagren and Minister Newcastle.

Even worse, the British Treasury’s funds allocated for recruiting soldiers and improving logistics are insufficient.

Those funds were originally intended to build an army of hundreds of thousands, but now there are only 30,000 men.

And the logistics on the Crimean Peninsula remain as poor as ever; British soldiers are eating salted beef from the Napoleonic Wars and drinking overly diluted whiskey.

Only God knows where the remaining money went!

Regardless, Palmerston and Newcastle don’t want to investigate the whereabouts of the money, perhaps because it was truly borrowed by God.]

In the event that the French Empire opts to negotiate separately with the Russian Empire, without the Kingdom of Britain, Britain would likely have to also consider a peace talk.

For Palmerston, who wishes to dismember the Russian Empire, nothing would be worse than a peace talk.

"I hope the Kingdom of Britain and the French Empire can end this war soon, so trade can resume its normal course!" James Buchanan had to respond to Clarendon with this statement,

"If the Russian Empire can abandon their unrealistic ambitions, we would be very willing to open communication channels with the Russian Empire!" Clarendon replied using vague diplomatic phrasing.

"Your Excellency, when you speak of setting aside ambitions, do you mean having the Russian Empire withdraw from the Danube River?" James Buchanan directly asked the Earl of Clarendon, "If this is the case, the United States of America is willing to serve as the bridge of communication between the Kingdom of Britain and the Russian Empire!"

"Mr. Buchanan, maintaining the alliance with France is our priority!" The Earl of Clarendon smiled as he spoke to James Buchanan: "However, under certain circumstances, we do not rule out engaging with the Russian Empire. France has its diplomatic path, and Britain has its own diplomatic path as well!

At that time, we might need the help of the United States of America!"

As soon as the Earl of Clarendon’s vague diplomatic rhetoric ended, James Buchanan hurriedly said to the Earl of Clarendon: "The United States of America is willing to act as a bridge for communication between the Kingdom of Britain and the Russian Empire!"

What a complete fool, how could the Kingdom of Britain easily let the Russian Empire off the hook!

Clarendon secretly despised James Buchanan in his heart.

Ultimately, the diplomatic foundation of the United States of America isn’t deep enough to integrate into the European diplomatic system at all.

Not to mention the masters of offshore balancing like Britain, even the "orphans" of European diplomacy like the Russian Empire can bully the current United States.

In a situation where neither diplomacy nor strength measures up, all the actions of the United States are viewed by Old Europe as how the five permanent members view Gambia in later generations.

However, the United States, this "Gambia," is much stronger than the Gambia that came later.

And the true rise of American diplomacy happened after World War II, by which time the United States was a world power and no longer needed to adhere to Old Europe’s diplomatic doctrines.

Old Europe had to submit to the United States due to the rise of the Soviet Union.

"Then I, on behalf of the Kingdom of Britain, thank the United States of America for its selfless help!" The Earl of Clarendon casually responded to James Buchanan.

Unaware of the Earl of Clarendon’s inner evaluation of him, James Buchanan was still pleased with himself for finding a way to boost his "united front value," and he had now made up his mind to promote progress in the peace negotiation between the Kingdom of Britain and the Russian Empire.

To carry out this action, he decided to write a letter to his colleagues residing in St. Petersburg.

Poor James Buchanan didn’t know that there wasn’t a single virtuous person in Old Europe at all.

His letter indirectly led to a $2.5 million debt for the United States.

...

At the same time as the dialogue between the Earl of Clarendon and James Buchanan, far away in Paris, Jerome Bonaparte was also meeting with Richard Metternich, the Austrian ambassador to France.

Richard Metternich once again congratulated the French Empire on its brilliant achievements in the Crimea Peninsula, and also hoped that the French Empire and the Austrian Empire would get better and better on the future road.

"Mr. Richard, I share your thoughts! Although France and Austria had some differences in the past, I believe that time will dilute all differences, leaving only precious friendship!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Richard Metternich: "I believe that the friendship between France and Austria can continue indefinitely!"

"I believe it too!" Richard Metternich nodded and responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

After a round of compliments, Jerome Bonaparte directly asked Richard Metternich what the current stance of the Austrian Empire was.

"Your Majesty, I have not received a telegram from Vienna, so I dare not speculate recklessly on the policies of the Imperial Government!" Richard Metternich carefully responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"I would say that your Austrian Empire should join us in sending troops, only then can we defeat the Russian Empire faster!" Jerome Bonaparte urged Richard Metternich.

Richard Metternich continued to smile as he responded to Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Majesty, the Austrian Empire needs some time!"

"Need time?" Jerome Bonaparte smirked sarcastically: "Mr. Richard, haven’t I given you enough time? Almost two years have passed since before the Crimean War began! Whatever you need, I have helped you fight for it! If it weren’t for me, you couldn’t possibly still occupy the Danube Duchy.

It was I who, defying the Kingdom of Britain, handed the Danube Duchy to you! It was I who pressured the Ottoman Empire to restrain their actions, allowing you to smoothly occupy the Danube Duchy.

It is also I who tolerated your neutrality! Allowing you to enjoy the fruits of the Allies’ victory while not overly offending the Russian Empire.

Over these two years, what have you returned to me?"