4 – Diplomacy Including Episode 2
On August 10, 1914, Riemann von Janders, who had so far shown a humble attitude, led a group of officers from the German Army and Navy Representative Office and demanded permission from Pasha to allow the entry of Goben and Breslau.
“We Germans have no intention of endangering the neutrality of the Ottoman Empire. We are simply bringing gifts for the alliance between Berlin and Constantinople. Is that so wrong? If we are in the wrong, then shouldn’t those who have taken the promised warships by force be expelled from this place?”
Haleem was astonished by the situation where the Germans, who had been pretending to be polite, openly demanded the entry of warships in the streets.
Now not only the diplomats but also the people of the whole city became aware of the situation.
“Accept the gifts from the Germans!”
“There is no need to refuse gifts of friendship!”
Haleem admitted that the matter had slipped out of his hands and called Enver Pasha to explain the situation.
“Did Pasha conclude an alliance with Berlin behind the back of the Intelligence Agency and His Majesty? I heard the request for warship docking in Berlin on the 5th and thought that the Kaiser was making fun of us and that I could do as I pleased. But it seems that it was I who was playing the fool.”
Haleem couldn’t hide his mixture of disappointment, anger, and frustration.
“Your Excellency, I have mishandled the matter and brought harm to the nation and the party.”
Enver Pasha bowed his head. Although he was the one in power, making the Commander-in-Chief a mere puppet was an undeniable mistake. However, he did not regret this matter. If he had consulted with Haleem, the alliance with Germany would not have made any progress.
“The Germans are raising their voices because of what Pasha has done. If the Germans show such a biased attitude, how can the safety of Constantinople be guaranteed? I have never felt such a crisis before. It was better even during the Balkan Wars. So, what does Pasha plan to do about this matter?”
Haleem asked for Enver’s opinion. Since the situation had become so complicated, he wanted to confirm the thoughts of Enver Pasha, who was the one in power.
In fact, even before decorating this matter, Enver Pasha had a contingency plan that he had discussed with German military advisers in a secret chamber.
“There is a way to resolve the situation. If we buy the German ships that are coming to Constantinople, the ‘Germans’ who enter our territorial waters will be considered as regular visits to sell the ships. If we just talk well, the great powers won’t be able to find any fault.”
“Regular visits? Isn’t that too forced? Ships, maybe, but what about people…? They are not civilians, but individuals in the status of German military personnel.”
“We can hire them all. The Kaiser has promised to do so. If we transfer all the conscripts and officers to the reserves and move them to our side, there will be no problem. It can be perfectly handled on paper.”
Enver’s idea was a radical one that went beyond common sense. He confidently stated that he would change only the nationality of the German warships and dock them in Constantinople.
Haleem thought it was a crazy idea, but upon careful consideration, the story seemed plausible.
The chaos in Constantinople was quite a spectacle, but technically, it was profitable to receive two ships without spending any money. Of course, I had to erase from my mind the fact that the diplomatic costs that the Ottoman Empire had to pay for this incident were enormous and impossible to cover with just a battleship.
“If we go along with Pasha’s words, it could serve as an excuse to deceive the ambassadors of the great powers. We can also accommodate the demands of the Germans.”
It was a dilemma, but I was relieved to know that there was a way to escape through this legal loophole. How difficult would it have been if we didn’t have any justification to present to the great powers?
“They won’t be able to interrogate us excessively.”
“I hope we can resolve it. But I’m worried about the future.”
“Is there still room for maneuver?”
Enver Pasha asked.
“That damn British pig has no sense of honor. They took away the two battleships we were supposed to acquire last month and instead offered to pay a daily rental fee of a thousand pounds.”
The Ottoman Empire had agreed to pay the price and receive two Dreadnought-class battleships from Britain, but the British Navy Minister, Churchill, had cheated them. Although the Ottoman Empire government protested diplomatically, all they got in return was the offer to pay a rental fee.
It was almost as if Britain, openly cheating, had revealed their intention not to give the battleships to the pro-German Ottoman Empire, as it would make things difficult for France. It was practically an act of considering the Ottoman Empire as a potential enemy.
And conveniently increasing the naval power.
The pro-British factions in Istanbul were quite disappointed with Churchill’s cheating, but they still didn’t abandon their friendly attitude towards the Triple Entente negotiations.
“If Churchill doesn’t continue handing over the ships, won’t it be a problem?”
Enver Pasha also found that point concerning.
“I will request diplomatic support from Berlin.”
Since Germany had gained influence this time, they wouldn’t pretend to ignore the Ottoman Empire’s request.
But will things really work out that well?
The Grand Vizier didn’t have much faith in Enver’s words.
*
The capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul.
On August 11, 1914, the German Empire’s battleship Goeben and cruiser Breslau dropped anchor in Constantinople, crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The citizens were filled with great curiosity at the grandeur of these large vessels, unlike any other warships possessed by the Ottoman Empire.
“Is that enormous battleship going to be our own?”
“It’s so big and impressive. If our navy had such a massive ship, those Greeks wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”
The sleek, streamlined hull, designed for high-speed travel, had a graceful beauty compared to the more blunt-shaped battleships.
Instead of dealing with the hardships caused by the two warships, the Ottoman Empire’s Minister of War, Enver Pasha, chose not to meet them himself.
Instead, he sent Ahmed Cemal Pasha, a member of the triumvirate and a long-time comrade, to the port. Since Cemal Pasha himself was the Minister of the Navy, it seemed fitting.
When Cemal Pasha stepped onto the deck, Admiral Souchon had the sailors on Goeben lined up to greet him. After performing a grand ceremonial salute, Souchon escorted Cemal Pasha onto the ship. The admiral greeted him with respect.
“It is an honor to have you on board our battleship, Your Excellency.”
“Thank you.”
Since it was agreed to formally transfer the warships, it was not strange for the Minister of the Navy to show Cemal Pasha around the ship. Cemal Pasha toured the interior of the state-of-the-art battleship, which embodied the technological prowess of the German Empire, and was satisfied with its firepower.
After exchanging the sales contract on the deck, Cemal Pasha paid the symbolic amount of 2 marks. With this, Goeben became known as the TCG Yavuz Selim, and Breslau became known as the TCG Midilli.
As the German Imperial Navy flag was lowered, the crescent flag of the Ottoman Empire was raised in its place.
The Ottoman citizens were delighted at this astonishing event. They shouted “Long Live the Sultan” and waved the Ottoman Empire flag everywhere. The Germans watched the complicated and subtle ceremony with mixed feelings, and Cemal Pasha’s attendants brought Ottoman naval uniforms.
“It seems to have been handled neatly. The matter has been resolved as desired by the homeland.”
“It’s thanks to Your Excellency’s efforts.”
From the terrace of the mansion overlooking the Constantinople port, the German Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, von Wangenheim, and the military attaché, Richard von Kühlmann, couldn’t hide their satisfied smiles. When they received Berlin’s message that the Mediterranean Fleet was heading to Constantinople, they had been in the dark about how to handle the situation.
But as the Kaiser had said, everything went smoothly. They persuaded Enver Pasha and brought in General Sanders. The process of leaking information to the negotiating side and targeting the intelligence agency was like a well-scripted play.
While orchestrating this process on-site, von Wangenheim doubted whether the evaluations of the Kaiser by the bureaucrats were mistaken. Unbelievably, the Kaiser read the opponent’s moves and employed a remarkable strategy of thoroughly using them as pawns in a long-term game.
Even Bismarck, known as the magician of diplomacy, couldn’t demonstrate the ability to adjust such minute details.
Could such a person be foolish enough to undermine Germany’s diplomatic leadership and invite isolation?
Fon Bagenheim was certain.
Absolutely not.
The reckless and frivolous actions of the Kaiser seemed to have a hidden motive.
Is he really deceiving the world?
“Isn’t it amusing that the Ottoman officials are oblivious to this seemingly obvious plan?”
What the Kaiser wants is not just to save two warships. That is merely the appearance, his true intention is to take control of this country.
To control the country with two warships.
How grand of a scale is that?
“The pro-German faction must be grateful for falling into this trap.”
Fon Bagenheim’s gaze slowly scanned the city. The main government buildings, the Sultan’s palace, and the beautiful mosques were all in sight. Beyond them, the German warships were proudly on display.
Through this trade agreement, the Ottoman Empire became the legal owner of the German warships on paper.
But in reality, it was the Germans who were operating and commanding the ships. The Germans were in control, just like during the Mediterranean Fleet era, except for the formal rights and the fluttering flags.
They had dropped anchor in the heart of Constantinople, with cannons aimed from the German Empire’s core.
If Germany desired, the fleet could immediately blockade the Bosporus, which was practically the Empire’s lifeline.
The Ottoman Empire going against Germany, who had gained such overwhelming superiority? It was an impossible story.
The inclusion diplomacy was not a symbol of coercion.
“But it would be difficult if we drag this out for too long. The great powers, especially Britain, will not watch this spectacle for much longer.”
Fon Coolmann may have had the status of a diplomat, but fundamentally, he was an undercover agent working beneath the surface. From now on, everything that unfolded would be under the responsibility and command of disaster manager Fon Coolmann.
“I will resolve everything within three months at the latest. By then, diplomacy in Constantinople will have lost its meaning.”
Fon Coolmann stated confidently.
“Then it’s settled. When the time comes, the Ottomans will be fighting on the side of Berlin.”
Von Bagenheim sympathized with the helpless Constantinople, unable to determine its own fate.
But he didn’t think that joining the Ottomans would lead to a very unfavorable outcome.
If Germany were to win, not only would they significantly reduce the heavy public debt that had been pressing them down, but they would also gradually regain the territories they had lost.
It wouldn’t be a terrible outcome for them either.
“Well then, let’s raise our glasses at this moment. Sieg Heil!”
“Sieg Heil!”
The officials and staff officers clinked their glasses, celebrating the great victory they had dedicated to their homeland.