Chapter 589 The Idea of ??the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Archduke Ferdinand, who was assassinated, died on the way to the hospital. As for his wife, she could not be rescued in the hospital.
Regarding the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, all European countries expressed concern. They unanimously condemned the assassination of the crown prince.
As for Austria-Hungary, the murder of the crown prince is definitely a tragedy for the empire. Because Archduke Ferdinand is the heir carefully cultivated by Austria-Hungary, many people and nations in Austria-Hungary regard him as hope. Especially
For those ethnic minorities, this benevolent crown prince can fight for their interests in the future.
Now that the crown prince has been assassinated like this, what do you want them to do? In addition, the same is true for the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Habsburg family.
So after the news came that Archduke Ferdinand and his wife were killed due to assassination, the empire fell into anger.
Of course, regarding the assassination of the crown prince, Austria-Hungary also stepped up the interrogation of the two arrested murderers. Although Austria-Hungary guessed who was behind the scenes, considering the extensive involvement behind it, Vienna needed to produce impeccable evidence
, leaving the other party speechless.
With this purpose in mind, the interrogation of the captured Chabrinović and Princip was also intensified.
As for what means Austria-Hungary used against these two young middle school students, it is unknown. However, these two did not last long. On the third day, the two confessed everything. The results of the interrogation were also found that day.
He was sent to Vienna just in time for the Austro-Hungarian Empire's cabinet meeting to be held.
"Everyone, what you have in front of you is the testimony of the murderer of Archduke Ferdinand. It describes in detail how the murderer received training in Serbia, how he obtained weapons from his intelligence officers, and how he obtained weapons with the help of many Serbian military and political officials.
, the whole process of arriving in Sarajevo. I believe that the murderer of the crown prince must be severely punished, and we cannot let go of the conspirators and promoters behind it.'
The meeting was chaired by Foreign Minister Berchtold. He, Archduke Ferdinand, and Chief of General Staff General Herzendorf were known as the three major Austrian-Hungarian hawks. They advocated the need for Austria-Hungary to express its attitude strongly towards the outside world.
.
Now that Archduke Ferdinand has been murdered, Berchtold believes that Austria-Hungary must express its attitude at this time. And the best way to express its attitude is, of course, to launch a war of revenge against Serbia. Let this kingdom be despicable.
means were destroyed together.
The words of the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister immediately attracted everyone's approval.
"Berchtold is right. We must not let those behind the scenes go unpunished. We must let these people who only use despicable means know that the Austro-Hungarian Empire will not let them go."
This is Army Minister General Crobatin, an old man who has served in the Army for most of his life. At this time, he used his own words to express the attitude of the Army.
"Yes, we should not let those behind the scenes go unpunished and must be punished.
“Only by erasing Serbia from the map can the empire’s dignity be restored.
At this time, the secret meeting was like a war mobilization rally, and all the ministers present made explicit remarks about going to war with the Serbians.
However, in this secret meeting, not everyone supported the use of force against the Serbs. That person was the Hungarian Prime Minister Count Tisza.
Prime Minister Tisza comes from a famous family, and his family is very famous in Hungary. He himself has served as the Prime Minister of Hungary for many years and is a leader in Hungarian politics.
After everyone had finished speaking, the Hungarian Prime Minister spoke. "Everyone, I and the subjects of the Kingdom of Hungary are deeply saddened by the assassination of Crown Prince Ferdinand. However, if war is declared against Serbia, I will stand firm.
Opposition. Because we cannot be carried away by hatred and need to consider the safety of the empire.
Speaking of this, Prime Minister Tisza expressed his reasons. "Everyone in Russia and Serbia knows that if a war breaks out between our country and Serbia, Russia will never sit idly by and ignore it. So how should we deal with the Russian threat. In addition, if a war breaks out between our country and Serbia, Russia will never sit idly by.
The attitude of our allies is very important. If the Russians are brought in because of the war with Serbia, we will not be able to solve the enemies on both sides without the help of our allies."
Well, Prime Minister Tisza's last words are purely to flatter himself. Let alone Austria-Hungary, he can't solve the enemy on both sides, just the Russians.
Of course, Prime Minister Tisza has another unexplainable reason. The Kingdom of Hungary is absolutely unwilling to see the empire annex Serbia.
Yes, that's it. Hungary is opposed to Vienna's desire to conquer Serbia. Because if Serbia is conquered, then the Serbs in the empire will be equal to the Hungarians, which will be very difficult. The Austro-Hungarian Empire will be very powerful.
It may change from a dualistic empire to a triarchic empire. This will greatly reduce Hungary's power in the empire, which will be harmful to Hungary.
However, although there is another reason that has not been mentioned, Prime Minister Tisza is still very capable. The two issues raised are very critical for Austria-Hungary. If there is no support from allies, then this punishment against Serbia will
Austria-Hungary itself had no way of fighting the war.
"Prime Minister Tisza is right, the attitude of the Russians must be taken into consideration."
The speaker was Austrian Prime Minister Count Stilke. He agreed with Tisza's words and also considered the threat from the Russians.
"Actually, we also have ways to deal with the Russians.'
Seeing that the direction of the meeting was about to change, Foreign Minister Berthold also said something with enough weight. "When the Crown Prince and I visited Berlin last year, the Crown Prince and the German Emperor Wilhelm discussed the Serbian issue. And this
His Majesty William personally promised the Crown Prince that as long as our country attacks Serbia, Germany will support it."
Berthold's remarks made everyone else present feel shocked.
"Bertold, Emperor William promised support for the use of force against Serbia, why didn't I hear you talk to the crown prince?'
At this time, Count Tisza felt bad. In order to restore the situation, he said the above words, which came close to saying that Berthold was lying.
“Because this matter is of great importance, the crown prince and I didn’t want too many people to know about it, so we didn’t talk about it.
"I agreed at the time, but that doesn't mean I can do it now. What should I do if the Kaiser doesn't want to do it? Do we have to fight against Serbia and Russia alone?"
This was Count Tisza's last resistance. Of course, if Berthold dared to speak out, it goes without saying that the Hungarian Parliament would never pass a war proposal in the future.
Without the support of Hungary, this war would not even be possible.
Yes, the Kingdom of Hungary under the dual system was so arrogant.
"Although now I don't know if the attitude of the Germans has changed, but as long as we send people to inquire.'
Bertold did not dare to offend the Hungarian Prime Minister and chose the steps to make everyone look good.
Although Prime Minister Tisza objected at the meeting, everyone except him agreed to a disciplinary war against Serbia.
After the meeting, Berthold took the results of the meeting and went to meet the old emperor Franz Joseph I.
The founder of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is over eighty years old. After experiencing the tragedy of his wife being murdered and his son committing suicide, Joseph I now has to watch his heir be murdered. He has experienced too many tragedies.
But no matter what, he had to look at the results produced by the government regarding his nephew's murder.
The meeting results were a bit long for old Joseph. It took him more than an hour to read them, and he even took a break in the middle.
After reading the documents, the old emperor slowly spoke. "Berthold
"Your Majesty, I am here.'
"No matter what countermeasures the empire adopts against Serbia, I have one request.
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"That means Tisza's consent is required."
"ah!'
"Okay, I'm tired, you go down.'
This is the wisdom of an old man, because he knows that if Hungary is not allowed to agree willingly, then Austria-Hungary can only exert half of its strength. How can it deal with Serbia and the Russians behind it.
After receiving the emperor's request, Berthold had no choice but to go to Count Tisza.
Tisza had his own residence in Vienna. When Berthold knocked on the door of the other party, Tisza knew that he had to make concessions. Although Hungary had a lot of power in the Austro-Hungarian government, in the end it could not harm the Austrians. .
Then the two began a frank exchange of interests, and finally they reached an agreement. Austria-Hungary first proposed a less strict diplomatic ultimatum to Serbia. If Serbia agreed, then it would not declare war on it. If the other party did not agree, then Declaring war becomes the only option.
Of course, before that, Austria-Hungary needs the support of its allies first. This is a prerequisite for Tisza, and it is also a condition that many Austro-Hungarians believe that war can begin.
