The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 472: Chapter 374: The Contradictory Austro-Hungarian Empire

Every country has both warmongers and peacemongers, but relatively speaking, there will be strengths and weaknesses, or someone who can make decisions.

However, for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, one of the great powers, not only were the internal forces of warmongers and peacemongers evenly balanced, but Emperor Francis the First, the ultimate decision-maker, was actually very hesitant.

Without a final decision-maker, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had not reached a unified decision internally, and they did not take military action in response to the assassination.

After several hours of tense discussion, the Austro-Hungarian Empire eventually decided to still investigate the truth of the matter, negotiate with the Serbian Government, and then send someone to Berlin to seek the forgiveness and support of William II.

In a memorandum from Francis the First to William II, drafted by Berchtold, it is stated that after the terrible incident in Bosnia, it is impossible for the hostile situation between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia to be amicably resolved. Unless the source of evil instigation in Belgrade is punished, all the peace policies of the European monarchies will be threatened.

The old emperor was very furious, but he was not willing to make any decisions that would directly involve war, so he decided to go to a hot springs villa for recuperation.

As for the attitude of other countries towards the Sarajevo assassination, the first response was unified sympathy and concern.

Nearly all monarchies condemned the assassination. As the initiator of the European Royal Family Union Declaration, the Australasian Government expressed concern about this incident, stating that if it was national-level assassination of the European royal family, it would be an extremely terrifying event that threatens European royal power.

Although Arthur had been prepared for the Sarajevo incident, he still couldn't help but sigh when the event that almost signaled the outbreak of World War I actually happened.

A super war involving more than half the Earth and the whole of Europe, dozens of participating countries, and tens of millions of troops is about to erupt.

Britain and Russia also expressed concern about the incident, but Russia did not support the Austro-Hungarian Empire's intentions.

After all, Serbia and Russia were staunch allies, so supporting their enemy? They would have to wait for their next life!

In Bosnia, the interrogation of the assassins was being conducted overnight. All officers, including Governor Boticelli, were anxiously waiting for the results of the interrogation with mixed feelings.

On the one hand, they hoped for an early end to the interrogation so that they could redeem themselves and not be disgraced by Francis.

On the other hand, they were afraid that the final interrogation results were related to them. If they inadvertently contributed to a successful assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, then they would be in real trouble.

Especially the Mayor of Sarajevo, who had leaked Archduke Ferdinand's itinerary before he left.

Although the intention was not to facilitate the assassination, if such an unintentional move really accelerated the assassination process, what would be the difference between it and being an accomplice?

As people waited with mixed emotions, after two days of interrogation and several days of investigation, the assassination incident finally had some clues.

Although it is unknown what kind of interrogation methods the Austro-Hungarian Empire used, those methods could not last long on patriotic youths aged seventeen or eighteen.

Soon, all assassins, including Princip, confessed their motives and the entire process behind them.

July 3, 1914, Vienna.

The cabinet meetings of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were held once a week. As the assassins had already confessed and the investigation had progressed, the cabinet meetings were held two days earlier this time.

"Everyone, take a look, these are the latest testimonies of the assassins. It details how the culprits received training in Serbia, how they obtained weapons from an official-controlled force in Serbia, and with the help of a force called the Mafia, arrived and ambushed in Sarajevo. I can hardly imagine that this was a long-standing assassination plot.

It's terrifying, and without punishing the real culprit behind the scenes, where else would be safe?" Austro-Hungarian foreign minister Berthold said gravely during the cabinet meeting.

Once opposed to war, the Austrian Chancellor had become a hawkish advocate, like Archduke Ferdinand, due to the assassination.

For Berchtold, the Sarajevo assassination was a signal that the Austro-Hungarian Empire's strength must be shown in response to this extremely despicable means against them.

The best way to demonstrate strength is to wage a revenge war against Serbia, destroying the cursed country and its people.

The words of the Austrian Prime Minister and the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister immediately gained the support of warmongers.

"Berchtold is right. If we let the real criminals behind the scenes go unpunished, it would be a slap in the face for the empire and everyone present. From the royal family to the government and officials, none should be humiliated by such foolish behavior.

The best way to avoid such consequences is to wage war, wiping the cursed country off the map completely." said Chief of Staff Conrad Wilson of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.