Chapter 21

In January 1862, a geopolitical tempest brewed across the West. The seemingly innocuous Belgian situation – a mere sideshow, perhaps – was overshadowed by a far more consequential development: the Netherlands' aggressive expansionism in the Pacific. This explosive news dominated headlines, fueling speculation and anxieties. But the real bombshell remained undisclosed. Was this enough to capture public attention? Absolutely not. Far greater revelations were yet to surface. Whispers circulated of imminent British imperial ambitions. Leaked Belgian intelligence, purportedly confidential, detailed plans for a significant naval base in Ostend, a strategic Belgian port. This would mark the British Empire's second continental European military foothold, following Gibraltar. The silence from both Britain and Belgium surrounding this leaked report was deafening, fueling suspicion and conjecture.

Major Western newspapers – from Britain's *Financier*, *London Times*, and *The Times*, to France's *Le Figaro* and *Le Monde*, Prussia's *Berlin Daily* and *Nord Zeitung*, Austria's *Corona* and *News*, Spain's *Madrid* and *Spain Herald*, Sweden's *Domestic Post* and *Nordic Times*, Norway's *Evening Post* and *Daily Report*, the Netherlands' *Holland Business Daily* and *New Rotterdam*, Russia's *Voice of Tsarist Russia* and *St. Petersburg Daily*, and even American publications like the *New York Post* and *Chicago Daily* – all carried the story, amplifying its reach and influence. These powerful publications, each wielding considerable sway within their respective nations, effectively sealed off the narrative from external interference. Except for one. A Luxembourgish newspaper, a relative newcomer only five years old, situated amidst the volatile heart of Europe, had risen to unprecedented prominence. Its rapid expansion, unmatched circulation, and unwavering credibility made it a singular voice in a cacophony of news. Its geographical position, nestled between warring powers, only enhanced its unique and compelling perspective.From 1857 to 1862, the *European Times* reigned as Europe's most impactful newspaper. Its reach extended far beyond its Luxembourg base, encompassing the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Portugal, Spain, and even into the heart of the German Confederation—Austria, Prussia, Bavaria, Hanover, Württemberg, and others. This unprecedented distribution network cemented its position as a daily must-read across the continent, leaving an indelible mark on the era. The *European Times*' enduring success stemmed from its unwavering commitment to equitable, unbiased reporting. Its impartiality and fairness garnered widespread respect and credibility.

Each edition captivated readers with compelling news, ensuring a devoted readership. Then came February 1st, 1862. As always, the paper's arrival was met with eager anticipation. This particular issue, however, held a revelation of breathtaking significance. Based on exclusive intelligence obtained from confidential sources, and corroborated by a joint investigation involving French, Dutch, and Prussian civil and military agencies, the *European Times* unveiled a shocking discovery. The construction of a proposed naval base, the article revealed, would not merely supply the British fleet; it would dramatically enhance Britain's naval dominance along Europe's western seaboard, transforming the region into a battleground and unleashing a catastrophic scenario for its coastal nations. The potential consequences painted a grim and menacing future for all.A looming British imperial strategy, centered on a southern Beihai Sea outpost, casts a long shadow over European affairs. This ominous development, already impacting the Netherlands, France, and even the German Confederation, has ignited intense alarm in Paris and Amsterdam. However, relevant non-governmental organizations declined to offer further specifics, citing a lack of substantiating evidence and concerns about compromising sensitive national secrets.

The report's compelling evidence hinges on a Belgian research paper and accompanying proposal, vetted and endorsed by Prime Minister Valvatai Frel Alban. This document, poised for parliamentary ratification in Belgium, will become law immediately upon King Leopold I's signature. The gravity of this situation renders the notion of mere fabrication utterly untenable.A senior officer within the Dunkirk flotilla of the Northern French Navy, a colonel, imparted gravely concerning a surge in Royal Navy activity. In a recent interview with this publication, he stated that the escalating presence of British warships over the last month is profoundly significant, strongly suggesting preparations for a significant naval installation. He further warned that a British military incursion into Belgium would constitute an unprecedented threat to France, surpassing even the peril posed by the Holy Alliance.

The colonel's alarming assessment highlighted the stark difference: then, a fractured alliance; now, a maritime superpower establishing a strategic foothold on France's doorstep, a menacing presence that renders peaceful slumber impossible. Separately, Dr. Hermann Van Rompuy, Dean of Leiden University's School of Foreign Affairs, a Netherlands-based expert intimately familiar with Belgian internal politics and a regular contributor to this newspaper, expressed profound concern regarding the potential British naval base in Belgium. He emphasized the unsettling proximity of such a base to the Netherlands—a mere 100 kilometers—rendering the Dutch mainland vulnerable to direct British aggression for the first time. This alarming prospect, Dr. Van Rompuy asserted, is not solely a Dutch anxiety; it would ignite widespread opposition across Europe. His stark warning, delivered through the pages of the European Times, was a pointed appeal to the British Empire to reconsider its actions and avoid provoking continental outrage.

The dean's stark warning, delivered to this newspaper, highlighted a chilling passage from the Netherlands' congressional report: the British Empire's potential establishment of naval bases across Europe – Belgium, Norway, Portugal, Sicily, Italy, and elsewhere. This audacious strategy, a reckless gamble for minimal gain, echoes the fable of the fisherman who loses everything for a single catch. It serves as a cautionary tale, a stark reminder of the peril of harboring enemies within. The 1830 Netherlands-Belgium conflict stands as a grim testament to this truth. Intelligence, a shadowy and boundless realm, yielded a cacophony of unsettling revelations. French and Dutch officials, both civilian and governmental, voiced contradictory anxieties and pronouncements on numerous occasions. Even Prussian and Hanoverian intelligence and public opinion were inexplicably entangled in this web of intrigue. This chorus of disquiet, a carefully orchestrated symphony of suspicion, furnished ample pretext to disseminate the insidious "British Empire Threat" narrative globally.