Page:English Historical Review Volume 37.djvu/121

1922 AND THE CROWN OF GREECE, 1863 113 been great security for Austria in the Adriatic. To be sure France might have said, ' Now you are so safe, give up Venice ', but to that Austria would have said ' No ' to the end of the chapter. It would seem clear that the evidence relating to the offer to Maximilian of the throne of Greece contains a test of the soundness of Ollivier's theory as to Napoleon's object in sending Maximilian to Mexico. For if Ollivier's theory is to hold, it cannot be admitted that Napoleon III in February 1863 was insincere or even lukewarm in his support of the British project for placing Maximilian on the throne of Greece. If the coronation of Maximi- lian was to bring about the assent of Austria to the cession of Venice, surely the crowning of Maximilian in, Athens was at least as likely to bring about such a result, as was the crowning, a year later, of Maximilian in Mexico City. Russell put his finger on one very definite gain to Austria should Maximilian become king of Greece : ' there would have been great security for Austria in the Adriatic ', but there is no record of Russell or of any one else discovering in what respect Austria would gain by his becom- ing emperor of Mexico. In fact, Francis Joseph and his govern- ment were so little aware of its possessing any advantages that they tried to dissuade Maximilian from embarking on the Mexican adventure, refused to support him with either men or money, and compelled him to renounce all his rights of succession to the Hapsburg dominions. But when the Greek project had been mooted, Count Rechberg had himself admitted l to Lord Bloom- field that ' the possession of the Greek throne by an archduke might be advantageous to Austria in carrying out her Eastern policy ', and it was Bloomfield's considered opinion that had Francis Joseph not decided to reject the proposal Count Rechberg might have been disposed to consider it, for he feels that notwithstanding the large sacrifice of men and money its success might necessitate, Austria would gain a strong position and one from which she could exercise great influence in the East. ' In the offer of a throne to the Archduke Maximilian ', says Ollivier, 2 ' Napoleon III perceived an unexpected means of freeing a captive province, and hoped that, satisfied with the gift to his family, Francis Joseph would perhaps consent later to release Venetia.' If this were true the British project for placing Maximilian on the throne of Greece should have presented itself to Napoleon as an opportunity by no means to be let slip. In February 1863 Napoleon's army in Mexico had as yet been unable to capture Puebla. The issue of the campaign might fairly be regarded as doubtful ; and to erect a Mexican throne for Maximilian 30,000 French soldiers were toiling in the fever - 1 Ibid. 1 : 651, Bloomfield's dispatch no. 89. 2 Ollivier, v. 259. VOL. XXXVII. NO. CXLV. I