African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1147: Chapter 156: Internal Disputes Within Austria-Hungary

While the East African Government anxiously awaited changes in the European situation, Vienna was indecisive, with Franz and the ministers of the Austria-Hungary Empire holding a different attitude towards the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand than in a previous world.

In the previous world, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand led to war mainly because of his status as Crown Prince. However, Ferdinand does not have this layer of identity now.

This positions Archduke Ferdinand awkwardly in the political situation of the Austria-Hungary Empire, with the Empire’s newspapers and media reacting less strongly to Ferdinand’s assassination than in the past.

Inside the Mei Quan Palace, Franz sat on the sofa, darkly tapping the documents on the table, his brow furrowed, as those around him held their breath, awaiting the emperor’s instructions.

After a long while, Franz finally spoke: ”Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, which is a serious provocation to the Empire. What kind of attitude should we adopt to negotiate with Serbia?”

The Empire’s Chief of General Staff, Conrad, said: ”We should severely punish Serbia for this provocation to the Empire’s dignity. The funds behind the Black Hand organization are entirely provided by Serbia, and now that Archduke Ferdinand has been assassinated, Serbia cannot be unconnected.”

Being a hawk, Conrad has always advocated for war, and his promotion of a defensive war against Serbia was unsurprising.

A strong nationalist, Conrad holds a high position in the Empire’s political scene due to his significant capabilities, playing an important role in modernizing the Austria-Hungary Army.

However, Conrad’s opinion cannot decide the Empire’s final strategy; Franz is naturally aware of Conrad’s extremism.

So, Franz turned to the Crown Prince and asked: ”Rudolph, what are your thoughts!”

Empire’s Crown Prince Rudolph, having passed the rebellious age, now began participating in the Empire’s affairs.

Rudolph, frowning, said: ”I don’t fully agree with the Chief of Staff’s view. In my opinion, a war with Serbia must be fought, but we must be well-prepared.”

Hearing the Crown Prince’s denial, Conrad frowned, given the aging old Emperor, if a war breaks out, Rudolph is likely to become responsible for the war, and a disagreement would not be a pleasant experience.

However, Rudolph’s subsequent words did not completely negate his thoughts, which slightly eased Conrad’s brows.

Conrad still said: ”Crown Prince’s worries are unnecessary. The gap between Serbia and us is enormous; we are confident in completely defeating Serbia in the war.”

Rudolph expressed: ”I indeed do not have a good impression of Serbia, but that doesn’t mean we should underestimate the enemy.”

”During the First Balkan War, Serbia mobilized over 200,000 troops, and in the Second Balkan War, Serbia similarly performed well, meaning Serbia has accumulated at least 200,000 experienced veterans and capable military officers.”

”Even though the Empire is strong, facing the pressure of over 200,000 experienced troops is the same pressure, and Serbia’s performance in the Balkan Wars indicates not a small potential from Serbia, accumulating high morale through both wars. This type of army, if looked down upon, will certainly result in negative impacts.”

”Additionally, Serbia’s ’Yugoslavia’ propaganda in Bosnia and Croatia has evoked considerable sympathy, even support from Slavs; this assassination plotted by Serbians in Bosnia means the Empire’s army entering Bosnia is likely to face backstabbing, impairing military operations.”

”Lastly, war with Serbia will undoubtedly provoke international intervention; the UK, France, and Russia may provide support to Serbia to wear us down, among them, Russia may even declare war on us, which would place us in an even more passive position.”

Conrad stated: ”Crown Prince worried unnecessarily, as we have already received Germany’s assurance. As long as Russia declares war on us, Germany won’t stand idly by. Although dealing with Russia alone involves risk, with two German powers joining forces, Russia has no hope against us.”

Conrad was a typical supporter of Greater Germany, openly calling the Austria-Hungary Empire a German Country, naturally linked to his work experience.

As a key figure in the Empire’s military, spearheading modernization, he was naturally resentful of the Hungarian parliament, as Hungary consistently opposed the expansion of the Empire’s military. Conrad’s modernization efforts faced funding restrictions, leading him and other military officials to hold dissatisfaction towards the Hungarian parliament.

Rudolph was not complacent with Germany’s support, stating: ”We can’t blindly trust Germany. Indeed, German military seems to be on the verge of taking Europe’s lead, but Germany faces French pressure too. For years, France has been intent on avenging Germany, and their close relations with Russia mean Germany cannot fully back us; they’ll be occupied by France.”

”The Empire’s military isn’t as strong as Germany’s. Russia, as a global military power, can withstand pressure from both nations simultaneously.”

”Currently, the Empire’s military budget lags at the bottom among major European military powers, and our army is long-peaceful. A battle with Russia, its outcome is unpredictable.”

Internal dispute in Austria-Hungary about war inevitably leads to discussing Russia, the unavoidable issue, so their conversation naturally gravitated towards Russia.

Rudolph continued: ”If we fight Russia, we must brace for a protracted war, meaning our military must be prepared, as Russia’s capability to endure warfare surpasses the Empire’s; when Russia intervenes in a European power dispute, it typically results in prolonged warfare.”

”In recent years, nations have been frantically expanding armies, but the Empire, due to various reasons, continues to lag in military support, trailing even East Africa and the United States. It’s questionable whether we can sustain a lengthy war.”

”Today, war has entirely transformed from the previous century, with major powers maintaining massive armies, equipped with more lethal, potent weapons, and boasting sizable reserves, an advantage we lack.”

Being a multi-ethnic country with no dominant ethnicity, although Austria-Hungary’s population exceeds 50 million, the two core ethnic groups, Germans and Hungarians, together comprise less than forty percent, impacting military reserves significantly.

Rudolph added: ”Looking at the Balkan War, the Balkan League alone amassed over a million troops in two wars; surely, wars between great powers are crueler. Facing Russia’s million-strong army now places us in a disadvantageous position.”

Not just Russia’s pressure, Austria-Hungary must consider Serbia and Italy, dispersing forces significantly.

The language and ethnic issues lead to internal command and supply chain problems for Austria-Hungary, which Rudolph pointed out.

Both Austria-Hungary and Russia have severe ethnic issues, but Russia’s situation is stronger, having a main ethnic group, with Ukraine and Poland sharing linguistic and cultural similarities, unlike Austria-Hungary’s diverse ethnic differences.