Chapter 23

On February 6, 1862, a stunning, unforeseen pact of mutual defense has been forged between France and the Netherlands. Following intense, behind-closed-doors deliberations, the two nations unveiled a groundbreaking agreement: unprovoked aggression against one signatory automatically compels the other to provide immediate military intervention, safeguarding both citizenry and territorial sovereignty. This unprecedented commitment to collective security is slated for ratification by both parliaments within the month, taking effect immediately thereafter. The abruptness of the announcement—a complete surprise, lacking any prior indication or public discourse—sent shockwaves through Europe. Even King Leopold I of Belgium, initially dismissive, found himself profoundly disconcerted. The unexpected alliance, a calculated gambit leveraging long-standing Franco-Dutch mutual distrust, had placed immense pressure upon him. He had confidently anticipated that British backing would deflect this pressure; today's urgent dispatch, however, revealed a catastrophic misjudgment. His earlier belief that the Franco-Dutch agreement was merely a symbolic gesture has been brutally disproven. The stark reality now confronts him: Belgian invasion appears inevitable. .....Queen Victoria, her countenance as grim as Leopold's, confronted Henry John Tapper and John Russell. "Secretary Russell," she thundered, "our Foreign Office remains utterly oblivious to this development! Is it conceivable that an alliance of such monumental significance—between France and the Netherlands—could transpire without a single whisper reaching us?" Her fury, a tempest raging within, had intensified twofold in recent weeks. The death of her beloved husband, the brutal assault on her eldest son Edward, and now, the looming peril to her uncle's Belgium—these calamities were grievous enough. But the incessant, petulant demands of her sixth daughter, Louisa, to abandon the Isle of Wight and return to her former life, added a bitter sting. Victoria could only chastise the girl's naivete, her heart aching for the child her husband had so cherished, praising her brilliance above all her siblings. She'd initially hoped these trials would gradually subside, dismissing the Belgian conflict as a mere skirmish, unworthy of her direct intervention. She was catastrophically mistaken. The brazen Franco-Dutch alliance? A preposterous notion, once deemed ludicrous and unbelievable. Yet, observing the grave visages of Tapper and Russell—one a pillar of strength, the other a bastion of authority—Victoria was forced to confront the brutal reality: Holland had, indeed, forged an alliance with France.

John Russell's response was blunt: "The Netherlands and France finalized this scheme; its unveiling is merely a calculated maneuver." A pregnant silence followed, before Russell, his alertness sharpened to an unprecedented degree, declared, "Your Majesty, several Foreign Office colleagues and I suspect the Franco-Dutch alliance was forged *before* the Belgian propaganda campaign commenced. Belgium serves as their initial proving ground, a test of their combined strength." Queen Victoria's astonishment was palpable; her gaze, questioning and incredulous, fixed upon Prime Minister Tapper. He nodded gravely, a sigh escaping his lips. "We gravely underestimated them," Tapper conceded, his voice laced with rueful acknowledgment. "The French-Dutch alliance predates recent events, yet the synchronized attacks against Belgium reveal a meticulously orchestrated strategy. Even our consular officials were targeted—a calculated provocation designed to draw us into their web. Once our attention was sufficiently engaged, whether through compassion or empathy, their manipulation was complete. Recall the immediate shift from sympathy to virulent outrage when our Belgian naval base plans were divulged." A shuddering intake of breath punctuated the Prime Minister's words. Henry John Tapper, nearing eighty, his voice tinged with a chilling apprehension, whispered, "Regardless of this crisis's outcome, the mastermind behind this operation will become one of the British Empire's most formidable adversaries—nay, *the* most formidable enemy, without peer." Both Russell and Victoria, seasoned political veterans, understood Tapper's assessment wasn't hyperbolic. A profound sense of unease settled upon them; the shadow of a cunning, powerful enemy loomed large before them.

Queen Victoria's urgent inquiry following the Franco-Dutch alliance centered on the Empire's ensuing predicament. This unprecedented proactive request for strategic assessment underscored the gravity of the situation. John Russell, voicing considerable apprehension, painted a stark picture: "The combined naval might of France and the Netherlands will pose an unprecedented maritime challenge. While France's army, second only to Russia's in size, boasts superior weaponry, their navy, though inferior to ours (230,000 tons versus 200,000 tons), is substantially augmented by the Dutch fleet (90,000 tons). This formidable coalition jeopardizes our absolute command of the seas and casts serious doubt upon our continued maritime supremacy." Russell's unease deepened. Despite Britain's clear advantage in first-rate sailing warships (a 10:4 ratio over France alone, even with the addition of three Dutch vessels still yielding a 10:7 advantage), the emerging threat of steam-powered ironclad warships loomed large. Britain's current lead – six ships (three operational, three under construction, projected completion in three years) versus France's single ironclad – could evaporate. The Netherlands, possessing centuries of shipbuilding expertise and already a major European naval constructor (third largest), presents a volatile unknown. Their potential to deploy ironclads within two years had been anticipated; however, the Franco-Dutch pact might significantly accelerate this timeline, fueled by French technological assistance. The Netherlands' formidable shipbuilding prowess, rivaling even the British Empire, was undeniable. Their recent sale of a first-rate sailing vessel to Argentina five years prior – a transaction which provoked Spanish ire – further underscored their capabilities. Their shipbuilding capacity, therefore, is not in question; the alarming acceleration thereof, under the aegis of a powerful alliance, most certainly is.

The Netherlands, a nation of diminutive size, suffered a crippling blow when Palmerston carved Belgium from its territory – a strategic amputation akin to severing its wings. Even its formidable shipbuilding prowess was rendered impotent; confined to the turbulent waters of Europe, it could only cower before the might of its neighbors. A desperate alliance with France, a gamble born of fear, seemed the only recourse, a precarious dance on the precipice of annihilation. The Dutch gamble left many, including Tapper, deeply skeptical. He, along with William I of Prussia, viewed the Franco-Dutch pact with profound unease. Their apprehension centered on the volatile nature of this alliance and its potential repercussions for Prussia. William I voiced his anxieties, but Bismarck remained imperturbable. He dismissed the alliance as a fleeting expediency, a temporary pact of convenience. He observed that the Netherlands, a nation of fewer than six million souls, irrespective of its robust economy, remained a lightweight contender on the European stage. Its inherent weakness was undeniable. However, William I challenged this assessment, pointing to the astute judgment of figures like Haysbert Feng and Pearson, individuals known for their perceptive intelligence. The notion of the Netherlands acting so rashly seemed improbable. Bismarck concurred, intrigued by the enigma of this small nation, harboring such intellectual giants. The question hung heavy in the air: What manner of leader could William IV be, presiding over a realm possessing such remarkable minds?...The Belgian attacks' protracted and unpredictable nature has stunned observers. While a prolonged conflict was anticipated, the sheer complexity and unforeseen ramifications have surpassed all expectations. The unfolding events resemble a high-stakes theatrical production, a gripping narrative of escalating tension and shocking revelations that leaves the audience breathless and utterly captivated. The sheer audacity of it all is breathtaking.