Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Bosnian Crisis (3)
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A few days later.
Franz Joseph I stubbornly refused to yield to the end, rejecting any concessions to Italy.
The last time I visited him, he even refused an audience, complaining that my nagging was no different from Bismarck's.
Poor Archduke Franz Ferdinand, caught in the middle, suffered tremendously as a result.
'I wasn't expecting much anyway, but it's still frustrating.'
He had asked about my parents' well-being, but honestly, I hadn't blocked the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, nor had I made any particularly harsh demands on Austria-Hungary.
I had simply tried to resolve the Bosnian crisis smoothly and swiftly, while, as the leader of the Triple Alliance, asking for slight concessions from our ally to prevent division within the alliance.
Of course, Franz Joseph I wouldn't listen no matter what I said.
"Really, I have nothing more to say. Why is Uncle so stubborn?"
"It's not Your Highness's fault, so please don't worry too much."
"I'm grateful even if it's just polite words. I feel sorry for showing the House of Habsburg's disgrace to you, Baron."
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who had come to see me off on my return to Berlin, apologized once more on Franz Joseph's behalf.
The more I looked at him, the more pitiful he seemed.
He had become an unwilling heir to the throne after his cousin and only son of Franz Joseph I, Crown Prince Rudolf, committed suicide, enduring every hardship imaginable.
'If only Franz Joseph had died earlier and Archduke Franz Ferdinand had ascended sooner, the fate of the Austro-Hungarian Empire might have flowed differently.'
Unlike his uncle, Franz Ferdinand was the kind of man who would have peacefully resolved the empire's conflicts, even conceding privileges held by Austria's elites. But those efforts were trampled in a pool of blood.
Moreover, his children suffered not only exclusion from the Habsburg court due to their parents' morganatic marriage but also lacked even living expenses until his stepmother, Grand Duchess Maria Theresa—the highest-ranking lady in the Habsburg family—intervened, allowing them to receive a pension.
The cruel twists of fate that befell the archduke and his family felt excessively harsh.
All I could feel was pity, nothing more.
After returning to Berlin.
I asked Minister Schoen, who was lamenting why accidents kept happening ever since he became foreign minister, to convene a diplomatic conference to revise the Berlin Treaty.
I hadn't achieved my goal, but the Bosnian crisis, which was stirring tension across Europe, still needed to be resolved quickly.
"For now, let's recognize the independence of the Principality of Bulgaria. No objections, everyone?"
At my words, the diplomats gathered here, led by Edward Grey—the British Foreign Secretary from the same family as the famous Earl Grey—nodded in unison.
Compared to Austria's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria's independence wasn't particularly important to the great powers, so it was only natural.
The Ottoman diplomats, who had viewed the Principality of Bulgaria's independence more seriously than the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina—which they couldn't defend anyway—looked dissatisfied with the great powers' decision.
Of course, Bulgaria had been nominally an Ottoman vassal since the Ottoman defeat in the 12th Russo-Turkish War, but effectively independent. Still, it seemed our Ottoman friends couldn't let go of their lingering attachment to Bulgaria.
'That's why boycotts against Austro-Hungarian goods and shops are currently happening within the Ottoman Empire.'
And due to the Ottoman boycott, Austria-Hungary had to suffer economic losses exceeding 100 million crowns.
That's not why I said the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina brought more disadvantages than advantages to Austria-Hungary.
"In compensation, the Austro-Hungarian Empire will pay reparations to the Ottoman Empire later."
At the mention of money, the Ottoman diplomats' sullen faces brightened slightly.
Austria-Hungary had already agreed with me in advance to pay 2.2 million liras to the Ottomans under the pretext of compensation for the annexation.
And unlike the Italian issue, things proceeded smoothly here because, as mentioned, the Austro-Hungarian government desperately needed to end the Ottoman boycott as soon as possible.
While Bulgaria's independence couldn't be reversed, the Ottomans wouldn't push harder than this.
The Ottoman Empire was still in chaos with the Young Turk Revolution and ongoing conservative counter-revolutionary attempts.
Even if dissatisfied, accepting the compensation and withdrawing was their best option for now.
"Then, regarding the clause from the original 1878 Berlin Congress, where Bosnia-Herzegovina remained nominally Ottoman territory but was administered by Austria-Hungary—what do you all think?"
As Minister Schoen spoke, the representatives from each country began murmuring and discussing among themselves.
After a short time, the first to speak was Britain's Edward Grey.
"Britain agrees to amend the Berlin Treaty to allow Austria-Hungary to annex Bosnia-Herzegovina as a condominium."
He had already coordinated with me in advance to support the annexation, so he agreed immediately.
For Britain, even though it wasn't a direct ally, there was no reason to oppose Austria-Hungary curbing Russian influence in the Balkans on its own.
"The Kingdom of Italy also supports Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina."
The Italian delegation said this with innocent faces, oblivious to everything.
They were surely grinning, thinking they'd extract unredeemed territories from Austria in exchange for their support.
But sorry, kids.
I tried, but Franz Joseph doesn't want to concede to you.
Of course, you'd just get angry without knowing my efforts!
'Sigh, in the end, this will make Italy lose all affection for the Triple Alliance.'
Even if we promised other territories, we couldn't break Italy's obsession and lingering desire for its unredeemed lands.
And it was obvious they'd lean toward France, with whom they had already signed a secret treaty, with high probability.
If Austria-Hungary was Italy's main enemy, France had taken Savoy but was still Italy's benefactor who had helped with the Risorgimento regardless.
Though Italy's departure from the Triple Alliance was within expectations, experiencing failure for the first time left a bitter taste.
"Wait, hold on a moment."
As Britain and Italy supported the annexation, while the French delegation whispered about what to do, Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Izvolsky raised his hand, sensing something was off.
"In exchange for Russia recognizing Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, they promised to amend the Berlin Treaty's straits clause to allow passage through the Bosphorus. What about that?"
"What?"
Edward Grey's relaxed face crumpled at Izvolsky's words.
Aehrenthal, who had tricked Izvolsky with the straits promise, cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away.
Edward Grey said,
"Absolutely not. It's been less than five years since the Morocco Crisis ended—what Bosphorus nonsense is this?"
"Italy agrees with Britain."
Italy, which naturally didn't want a Russian rival in the Mediterranean, strongly opposed as well, filling Izvolsky's face with bewilderment.
He then shot a piercing glare at Aehrenthal—the one who had promised straits passage in exchange for recognizing the annexation—as if demanding an explanation.
"...Ahem, with the situation like this, it's unavoidable. I'm sorry, Minister Izvolsky."
"W-what?!"
Aehrenthal responded to Izvolsky's words by gaping blankly, confused about what was happening.
"You tricked me!!"
Soon realizing he had been deceived by Aehrenthal, he twisted his face into a demonic rage and grabbed Aehrenthal by the collar.
"You filthy Jew, how dare you deceive me! You lied to me!"
"Minister Izvolsky, calm down!"
We rushed to separate the exploding Izvolsky from Aehrenthal, but he raged on for a while, vowing to kill him.
In truth, Izvolsky's anger was justified.
Aehrenthal had indeed tricked him.
But unfortunately for him, in this world, the one who gets deceived is always at fault.
"This conference is invalid! The Russian Empire will never recognize the Austro-Hungarian Empire's despicable scheming!!"
Bang!
Izvolsky, barely regaining his senses, glared at Aehrenthal with bloodshot eyes, shouted that, and stormed out of the conference hall.
As everyone was stunned by the stormy turn of events, Edward Grey approached me.
"Ahem, things have taken a strange turn."
"I'm sorry, Sir Grey. Our foolish ally has shown you a terrible sight."
"It's fine. It was somewhat entertaining. But what do you plan to do about Russia? If you leave it like this, it'll get noisy."
"Austria-Hungary will handle that part. No need to worry."
And as I said, shortly after the conference collapsed, a document leaked from Austria-Hungary.
The content was irrefutable evidence that over the past decade or so, the Russian Empire had acknowledged Austria-Hungary's free hand in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Sanjak of Novi Pazar.
"Minister Izvolsky, what is the meaning of this?! Has the Russian Empire been deceiving us Serbs all this time?!"
"T-that's..."
Thanks to this, Russia, which had been throwing a tantrum about being tricked, fell silent as if by magic.
The leaked document had put Russia in an extremely awkward position.
Especially, it created massive problems with Serbia, which had trusted its big brother Russia, leaving the empire unable to advance or retreat.
"This is our chance! Austria-Hungary must march on Serbia immediately!"
Amid this, Austro-Hungarian Chief of the General Staff Conrad von Hötzendorf raised his voice, pushing for a preventive war and annexation of Serbia.
"...General Hötzendorf. Are you saying that in your right mind?"
However, this was thwarted by the fierce opposition of Foreign Minister Aehrenthal, who, despite the historic swindle, was competent in his role.
And rightly so—Hötzendorf's argument might be strategically sound but politically disastrous.
In a situation where nationalist movements within Austria-Hungary had intensified due to the annexation, and they were suffering immense political discord, what war?
For our Germany, which had no intention of starting World War I six years early, we had no choice but to oppose.
However, contrary to the cold reception, the Russian Empire seriously believed Austria-Hungary might attack Serbia.
And fearing that war breaking out now would disadvantage them, they fell into panic.
In the end, Foreign Minister Izvolsky returned to the conference hall dejectedly and, despite Serbia's opposition and gaining no benefits, recognized Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
France, apparently not wanting to escalate the Balkan issue, followed Russia's lead and supported the annexation.
Thus, the Bosnian crisis, which had heated up the latter half of 1908, was roughly resolved. Finally exhaling in relief, I collapsed exhausted onto the bed.
"Hans, you look really tired. Are you okay?"
"This business gave me a lot of headaches."
"But it ended well, so that's a relief."
Luise gently stroked my hair while offering her lap as a pillow, as if praising my hard work.
The stress from Franz Joseph and the unexpected Hitler incident melted away in an instant.
This must be why everyone sings about wanting to fall in love.
"By the way, Hans, did you hear the news?"
"What news?"
"The Chinese Emperor died. And the new emperor is apparently the son of that Qing prince who bowed to Dad before."
"You mean Prince Chun."
Hearing the name after so long, I fell into reminiscence, recalling those times.
I hadn't heard about Prince Chun since then. Was he doing well?