Time entered mid-June, and after a defeat against the Romanians, the endurance of the Austro-Hungarian people seemed to have finally reached its limit. Incidents of openly promoting anti-war speeches on the streets became more common, and the attitude of the local government also changed.
It's very subtle. They no longer punish these people, as if they haven't discovered it. The waves lurking in the dark begin to appear in the eyes of the world, which makes the environment in Austria-Hungary become worrying.
Now it seems that anyone can criticize the various measures taken by the government. The people are starving because of this war while the officials are living and drinking. The government is depriving the minorities of their right to survive by oppressing them. These remarks that were never dared to be said in the past can now be
It popped up all over the country.
In Prague, Bohemia (the old name of the Czech Republic), many people gathered in a manor outside the city. These people are all well-known people in the area. They are now gathering together to discuss something related to the future of the nation.
The surrounding windows were covered with thick curtains, and there were vigilant guards all around. The sounds coming out of the hall from time to time made the guards look around even more vigilantly.
"Everyone has seen the current war situation. The failure of this war is inevitable. At this time, we must make our own prudent decisions for the future of the Czech people. Please note that your decision will be recorded in history books in the future for future generations.
Appreciate the enthusiasm of our nation for independence. In addition, I have good news for everyone. Chairman Masaryk has requested a batch of military and economic assistance from the United States, which will provide tremendous help to our independence cause."
A tall and thin middle-aged man was speaking generously to the participants about the importance of this secret gathering. And the Masaryk he was talking about was the leader of the Bohemian independence movement.
Masaryk was born in Hodonin, Moravia on March 7, 1850. He graduated from the University of Vienna and received a doctorate.
In 1882, he served as professor of philosophy at Charles University. He founded publications such as "Athens Literature" and "Times" to criticize the autocracy and national oppression of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was elected as a member of the Austrian Imperial Parliament many times.
The Czech People's Party (renamed the Czech Progress Party in 1905) was founded in 1900 and sought to achieve Czech autonomy within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
After the outbreak of the war, Masaryk went into exile in December 1914 because his strong autonomy proposition was not in the interests of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During this period, he used his popularity to unite Czechs abroad to oppose the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
He carried out propaganda and hoped to fight for national independence with the support of the Allied Powers. He also organized Czechoslovak Corps in Russia, France, Italy and other countries to support the Allied Powers. After his unremitting efforts, he finally established the Czech National Committee in Paris in 1916.
, and serves as chairman.
It can be seen from the fact that he called Masaryk chairman that he was not a member of the Czech Progressive Party and was also a member of the Czechoslovak National Council established in Paris.
"Mr. Štefánik, after we become independent, what should we do with the industries that belong to the Austro-Hungarian Empire?"
A fat man stood up and asked. After he finished speaking, he did not sit down and waited for Mr. Sstefanik's answer.
This sentence caused a lot of commotion in the conference room, because there are too many assets belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Bohemia. As a rare coal and iron area in the empire, the government has invested a lot of money in development over the years.
Here, after years of accumulation, this wealth can make many people jealous, and they want to pounce on it and eat it with their mouths full.
The middle-aged man known as Stefanik glanced at this fat man and noticed the actions of many people present. At the same time, he despised the short-sighted and greedy actions of these people in his heart.
Fan. Before the independent success, he just wanted to get benefits. In the future, these people will be eliminated sooner or later. However, before the meeting, he had discussed with Chairman Masaryk that some of these industries could be distributed to local governments.
Influential people.
So he looked at everyone's actions and said: "We have already discussed the issue of Mr. Krones. When the nation becomes independent in the future, we will unconditionally nationalize these industries to compensate the Austro-Hungarian government for these years.
It is an oppression of our nation. After taking it back, we will auction these properties so that capable people can continue to operate them."
Everyone present understood from Sztefanik's words that he planned to use these Austro-Hungarian properties as rewards. The nationalization, auction and other actions were just to deceive others.
Sstefanik's answer did not make the fat Mr. Krones sit down, but he asked again: "Mr. Benes, do you agree with Sstefanik's suggestion?"
Krones' words caused everyone present to turn their attention to a middle-aged man with a bald head and glasses. This should be Mr. Benes.
Faced with Krones' inquiry, Mr. Benes stood up and said: "I also agree with Mr. Štefánik's suggestion. It will have a huge impact on our national independence cause, and I have no reason to object."
This kind of suggestion is beneficial to the nation."
Benes's words finally pushed Mr. Krones back to his seat. As for this critical Krones, everyone present knew that he was a factory owner who made his fortune by purchasing grain and then engaged in the textile industry. He made him famous.
It's not that he is rich, but that he is greedy. When working in his factory, the salary is generally 10-15% lower than in other factories. However, thanks to the fact that he knows many big people and the prices are relatively low, the products of his factory are
There is no shortage of sales, which can actually make more wealth.
In the past, he had always supported the Vienna government, but now that he saw that Austro-Hungary was about to go away, he immediately threw himself into supporting the cause of independence. He can be regarded as a standard bastard, and he is also a greedy bastard. In fact,
There are many people like Krones in today's secret gathering. However, in order to take the overall situation into consideration, and these people also have considerable influence in the local area, they still have to be brought in.
As for why he asked Benes for his opinion? It’s simple, because Benes is the leader of the Czech National Party. This person is very influential among Czech intellectuals, businessmen, and landowners. And they advocate gaining autonomy through the Austro-Hungarian government.
rights, so they formed two factions, the radical and the moderate, with Masaryk's National Progressive Party. And now Benes's words represent the same interests of the two factions, so this can convince Krones.
Now that the two representative parties have reached consensus, this has also strengthened the confidence of many people who are in a wait-and-see mood.
Seeing this situation, Štefanik immediately said while the iron was hot: "Now let's hold a show of hands vote on whether to launch people to take to the streets to protest against the war."
After he finished speaking, he raised his right hand, and almost all the people in the hall raised their hands. Even those who were hesitant raised their hands immediately when they saw this situation. Some people were even about to stand up.
After seeing that everyone agreed, Štefanik said: "Then we decided to launch public demonstrations against the war in three days. This time we must let Vienna see our determination. I hope everyone will do their best.
Come and mobilize the people, future history will remember this day."
Štefánik's words made many people feel that they were making history, and many people showed sacred expressions, as if they had been sublimated.
This secret meeting was a complete success.
After most of the people left, Benes found Štefánik alone.
When there were only two of them, Benes couldn't help but ask: "This time Britain and France really agree to let us occupy Slovakia and other places in the future?"
Facing Benes' question, Štefánik nodded and replied: "Yes, this is what British Prime Minister George and French Prime Minister Clemenceau told us personally. As long as we can make Vienna overwhelmed, they will send Slovakia
The regional division allows us to establish a new country. Think about it, how helpful this will be to our new country in the future, and Masaryk has talked with the United States, and the United States also agrees with its attitude on this matter. This is our opportunity
, never give up.”
When Štefánik finished speaking, he showed a determined look on his face. It seemed that he had never forgotten Slovakia.
It is true that the Czech region has developed industry, but its population is less than five million. If Slovakia is added, it can somewhat alleviate the pressure of too small a population. Moreover, the agriculture in Slovakia can also make up for the shortcomings of the Czech region. In what aspects
It will be of great benefit to the new country in the future.
"I just don't know how people in Slovakia will react. And there are political parties in this region that seek autonomy the most, especially the Slovak Democratic Party."
Faced with Benes' concerns, Štefánik said nonchalantly: "This is the decision of the Allies. Do these Slovaks dare to object?"
Benes thought about what Štefánik said for a moment and said, "That's true."
"Now prepare for the big parade. If something goes wrong this time, it will be a disaster."
After three days of preparation, on June 23, a large number of people gathered together in Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Karlovy Vary and other places in the Czech Republic to launch a massive anti-war game.
Under the slogan "Bread, not war", they gathered together to denounce the government's inaction. Of course, the most powerful one was in Prague, where nearly 200,000 people gathered for anti-war demonstrations. Anti-war demonstrations throughout the Czech Republic
The number of people exceeded one million. Such a scale left the government helpless. And the appeasement orders from Vienna were not recognized by the people.
The anti-war game in the Czech Republic stimulated other regions. After seeing the government's incompetent response, demonstrations broke out one after another in Croatia, Bohemia, the Kingdom of Hungary and other regions. These demonstrations affected all walks of life in Austria-Hungary, including
In Austria, where the Habsburg family originated, large-scale demonstrations also broke out. This made the already shaky Austro-Hungarian Empire even worse.
Now even if Franz I is resurrected, there is no way to calm the anger of the people. The Austro-Hungarian regime has become dangerous.
