What left Karl busy was that the situation in Austria also deteriorated. Austrian political parties, led by Karl Seitz, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced to the public that they would change Austria's political system.
According to what he said, the people of Austria have the right to choose the political structure they want. This decision of the Austrian party made Karl panic. Because with the current attitude of the people towards the empire, Austria is very likely to change.
Once Austria became a republic, the disintegration of the empire would become inevitable.
For this reason, after discussing with the ministers of the cabinet, Karl I decided to announce his acceptance of the Fourteen-Article Peace Treaty of US President Wilson. In order to show that the empire valued and respected the voice of the people, Karl decided to announce this decision in the Imperial Parliament Building.
So under the protection of soldiers, Charles I was on his way to the parliament building.
"I don't know if this can save the last dignity of the Habsburg family."
Karl I looked at the protesting people who were blocked by soldiers outside the car and fell into deep thought. These same people were still cheering for his ascension to the throne two years ago. After the assassination of his uncle Archduke Ferdinand, they also denounced
Serbia, and after the war broke out, also cheered for the empire to participate in the war, and now it has become someone who opposes the empire. These are the people of the empire. They can cheer for your victory, and they can also curse and spit on your failure.
I don’t know if doing this can save the fate of the Habsburg family.
"Your Majesty, we are here"
When Karl I was worried about the Habsburg family, the guard's words interrupted this state.
When Karl I came back to his senses, he saw that the motorcade had stopped under the parliament building and said, "Let's go down."
After the protesting crowd in the square of the building saw Karl's figure, their heads that had been a little dizzy from the sun immediately recovered.
"We want bread not war."
"We want peace."
"Let the empire go to hell."
Waves of heart-rending protests surged toward Karl as he walked out of the car door, making him almost lose his balance.
"Your Majesty, be careful."
The sharp-sighted guard beside him immediately supported Karl and whispered a reminder.
Karl, who was supported by the guards, turned around and said, "Thank you."
After the crowd in the square saw this, the sound of demonstrations rang through the sky, as if they planned to use their voices to shock the emperor to death.
This made Karl's face look a little unnatural.
"Your Majesty, don't worry about these deceived subjects. We have more important things to do at the moment."
Seeing that his monarch's expression was abnormal, the palace steward Earl Lawrence who came with him comforted him in a low voice.
To Earl Lawrence, who had watched him grow up, Karl slowly recovered. He glanced at the crowd of demonstrators in front of the parliament building and replied: "I'm fine, go in."
After entering the parliament building, Karl, led by Parliament Speaker Berlick, came to the podium, where he would announce the conditions for the Austro-Hungarian government to accept President Wilson.
Karl is no stranger to the Parliament Building. It was here that he became the emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. But what is different from before is that this time he has become an unpopular person. Look at the parliamentarians in front of you, are there any differences between these people?
He knew almost all of them. In the past, these people were vying to be loyal to him, but now they all had faces that were unfamiliar to him. There were even congressmen talking to others unscrupulously, as if they didn't put him at all.
The actions in their eyes. The actions of these people made the parliament hall noisy. It was completely like being in a vegetable market instead of the sacred parliament hall.
When Parliament Speaker Berwick saw this situation, he also felt a little rude. So he picked up a hammer and knocked on the table. The crisp knocking sound sounded, making the situation a little better. At least those who were unscrupulous and others
They restrained their eloquent talk, and their voices became much quieter. Seeing this, Chairman Berwick's expression became more embarrassed. But that was all he could do, so he turned back and spoke to Karl.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry."
In response to the old Speaker's apology, Karl glanced at the MPs who ignored him completely before replying: "It's none of your business, Speaker. They are venting their dissatisfaction with me."
After sending the speaker of parliament off, Karl stood alone in front of the podium. The attitude of these congressmen made him very disappointed, but the current situation has reached a critical moment for Austria-Hungary. Can the empire and Habsburg be saved this time?
The status of the Bao family depends on this decision.
Regarding the outcome, what Karl saw on the streets and in Parliament made him pessimistic. However, he would not give up until the last moment to save the Habsburg family, because he had no way out.
After sorting out his thoughts, Karl ignored the dissatisfied congressmen and said in a sincere tone: "Dear congressmen, this war that has spread throughout Europe because of our dispute with Serbia has made everyone feel
To grief. Some people lost their sons, some lost their husbands, and some lost their fathers. These people all made sacrifices for the empire.
Here I need to say sorry to these soldiers and people who sacrificed their lives fighting for the country. The empire is sorry for your selfless sacrifice of life, because this war has caused many people in the country to endure hunger, severe cold, scorching heat and illness, all of which have
It is the consequences of this war. The current desire of the people for peace has made the empire feel that this war is not worth it. It is not worth the sacrifices we have to make.
There are many people who hold the same compassion. Many people in our country have called on us to let go of our obsessions and embrace peace. Now the empire feels the voices of these people. The same is true on the Allied side.
Few people are calling for peace. For example, President Johnson of the United States is one of them, and he also set fourteen peace proposals for us. Now after careful consideration, the empire has decided to accept President Wilson’s suggestions and let us put our minds at ease.
Let’s embrace our obsession and embrace a peaceful world together.”
Carr's emotional words gradually quieted down the inside of the parliament. Everyone listened to Carr express the people's expectations. When he said that he accepted Wilson's fourteen suggestions, the parliament present gradually burst into applause, and when the news spread outside
, the demonstrators in the square became less impetuous. All this made Karl, who left, feel that the situation might be getting better.
When the news reached the ears of Prime Minister Heinlein, who stayed at home and did not go to parliament with the emperor, this old guy who was proficient in politics had a different view: "This is the people's expectation for peace, but
Not against the empire. Next, they will probably deprive the Habsburg family of their rights, because no one can appease them now. Only by removing the royal family can they calm their anger."
The son beside him heard his father's prediction of the situation and asked: "Father, will it really develop like this?"
