African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1142: Chapter 151: Dancing on a Powder Keg

The East African industry and commerce sought opportunities overseas during an unfortunately unsuitable period, as Europe was facing a new round of economic crisis at the time.

In 1912, Austria-Hungary was the first to encounter an economic crisis, triggering a wave of business closures in Near Eastern countries, leading to a gradual shrinkage of international trade and financial markets. By August 1913, the heavy and financial industries in Britain and Germany began to face difficulties, with unemployment numbers sharply rising, and industries in countries like France, Italy, and Japan showing declining trends.

Meanwhile, East Africa’s own industry was exporting large quantities of goods, further exacerbating the crisis in European society. The market was flooded with cheap products, yet there were no buyers. On one hand, capital was endlessly producing goods, while on the other, there was a reluctance to increase workers’ wages, leading to weak consumer spending. Under such contradictions, Europe became a large powder keg, on the verge of a social revolution at any moment.

If Europe was the world’s powder keg, then the Balkans were Europe’s powder keg. After the two Balkan Wars, Balkan countries were generally impoverished, and the aftermath of the wars had been compounded by economic crisis.

During this period, if these troubles couldn’t be resolved or the people’s attention couldn’t be diverted, Serbia’s current regime was at risk of collapse, so they turned their eyes to their ”enemy”—Austria-Hungary.

The conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary had a long history. As early as after the ”Bosnian crisis,” Serbian nationalists had been making various efforts to achieve ”national independence and unity”.

However, as time went on, Serbian nationalism began to evolve into extremism. Due to political needs, some officials publicly issued harsh remarks, exacerbating domestic tensions, turning Bosnia and Herzegovina into the focal point of the conflict between Austria and Serbia.

In Serbia, ethnic self-defense organizations numbered over two hundred related committees, recruiting and training soldiers in Bosnia—organizing guerrillas and volunteers, and establishing spy networks, all in preparation for war.

As Ernst saw it, Austria-Hungary was experiencing undeserved disaster. After all, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Ottoman Empire, and now Serbia was placing the entire blame on Austria-Hungary, which seemed quite unreasonable.

Even an outsider like Ernst thought this way, so Austria-Hungary naturally held profound dissatisfaction toward the ”irrational antics” of the Serbians.

As one of the Great Powers, Austria-Hungary never considered Serbia to pose a significant threat to its own interests, so it began deploying troops along the borders and frequently organizing military exercises.

The actions of Austria-Hungary and Serbia were evidently a dance on top of the powder keg, and this powder keg could ignite all of Europe at any moment.

...

June 28, 1914.

Sarajevo.

The Karamen Beer Hall, a gathering place for the Serbian ”Black Hand” organization.

”Grabes, have you heard? Austria-Hungary held a military exercise in Bosnia.”

”Of course, those damn Austria-Hungarians, who do they think they are? According to the newspapers, they not only provoked us Serbs in Bosnia but also are treating Serbia as a hypothetical enemy. Austria-Hungary’s aggressive ambitions toward us Serbs are clear.” The young man said angrily.

The dialogue between the two resonated with most people in the bar. Nowadays, Serbia’s economy was declining, and after undergoing two wars, life wasn’t looking good for most people, fostering deep-seated grudges. The beer hall clearly was a place where one could freely vent such emotions.

Personal misfortunes, coupled with national rhetoric, made Serbs hate Austria-Hungary as naturally as drinking water.

”What Grabes said is really right! Not only does Austria-Hungary occupy our Bosnia and carry out all kinds of oppression on our fellow countrymen, only by overthrowing this evil empire can we achieve everlasting peace on the Balkan Peninsula,” said a drunkard in agreement.

”Damn it, although I agree with what you say, the gap between us and Austria-Hungary is too large. Austria-Hungary has always been a renowned European Great Power, a mighty nation, and we Serbs have only gained independence and freedom recently. We previously expended significant national power to defeat the Ottomans, so what can we do against Austria-Hungary?” someone said pessimistically.

”Gavrilo, don’t be too pessimistic. Although Austria-Hungary is much stronger than us Serbs, Austria-Hungary is not scary. We can entirely use the Russians to counter Austria-Hungary. Russia won’t sit idly by while Austria-Hungary annexes Serbia, so to us, Austria-Hungary isn’t invincible; we similarly have top-level supporters behind us.”

A young man referred to as Gallilov continued, ”It’s true that the Russians support us, but can they support us in reclaiming Bosnia? Moreover, this time Austria-Hungary’s military exercise was a complete humiliation to us Serbs, which I cannot accept.”

”If this humiliation were personal, I wouldn’t be so furious, but Austria-Hungary is clearly humiliating the entire kingdom and our Serbian nation. If we remain indifferent and do nothing, it’s hard to justify to oneself.”

Grabes walked over and patted Gallilov on the shoulder, saying, ”Gallilov, I fully understand your feelings, and greatly appreciate your correct attitude toward national and ethnic righteousness. We indeed cannot remain indifferent and passive; we must retaliate against Austria-Hungary, letting them know that we Serbians are not to be trifled with.”

Gallilov said, ”Grabes, do you have any solutions?”

Grabes nodded and said, ”Just some immature ideas, but if this idea is realized, it will undoubtedly intimidate Austria-Hungary.”

Grabes’ statement naturally piqued Gallilov’s interest, and he asked, ”So, what should we do? If your method is feasible, I’m willing to sacrifice my own life for the Serbian national cause.”

Looking at this youthful member who had just joined the organization not long ago, the corner of Grabes’ mouth moved imperceptibly; the current youth was indeed easy to incite.

Of course, Grabes still pretended to be serious, telling Gallilov, ”Reportedly, today Archduke Ferdinand of the Habsburgs will be in Sarajevo to inspect the troops. I think this is our opportunity. Since the Austrian-Hungarians dare to swagger on our land, let’s make them pay a bloody price.”

Assassinating a European archduke was no trivial matter, especially a Habsburg, a member of Europe’s top royal family.

But Gallilov’s eyes lit up, and he responded fiercely, ”That’s right, only with blood can we show the Austrian-Hungarians the courage of our Serbian people. Only when they are taught a lesson can they understand that no one can swagger and boss around on Serbian land.”

At this moment, Sarajevo actually belonged to Austria-Hungary; as the capital of Bosnia, it wasn’t inappropriate for Archduke Ferdinand to inspect Austrian-Hungarian troops here.

Moreover, Sarajevo was originally a place where three ethnic groups lived together, inhabited by Ottomans, Serbs, and Croatians. But because it was close to the Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia’s influence over Sarajevo was significant. Many Serbs, including Gallilov, identified with the Kingdom of Serbia, viewing Sarajevo also as inherent Serbian territory.

This was quite unreasonable, as besides Serbs, Ottomans and Croatians also lived here, and apart from the three major ethnic groups, Germans, Albanians, and other ethnicities were present.

However, faced with such extreme nationalists, reasoning couldn’t work, and Gallilov was determined to expel Austria-Hungary, the ”invader,” from ”Serbian land.”

And Grabes, a senior member of the organization, was quite willing to provide opportunities to younger members, preparing to assist Gallilov in carrying out a world-shocking action.