Chapter 1129 Dancing on a Powder Keg
It can be said that East African industry and commerce encountered a very bad time when looking for a way out overseas, because at this time Europe was facing a new round of economic crisis.
In 1912, the economic crisis first broke out in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which then triggered a wave of industrial and commercial bankruptcy in Near Eastern countries, and the international trade and financial markets shrank. In August 1913, the heavy industry and financial industry of Britain and Germany began to be in trouble, the number of unemployed people surged, and the industrial production of France, Italy, Japan, and other countries also began to decline.
At this time, East Africa's domestic industries were exporting a large amount of goods, further exacerbating the crisis in European society. The market was flooded with cheap products, but no one cared about them. On the one hand, capital produced unlimited goods, but on the other hand, it was unwilling to Given the contradiction between increasing wages for workers and weak social consumption, Europe has become a big explosive keg, and social revolution may break out at any time.
If Europe is the dynamite barrel of the world, then the Balkans are the dynamite barrel of Europe. The Balkan countries that experienced two Balkan wars are generally poor, and after the war ended, they suffered from the impact of the economic crisis.
During this period, if these troubles cannot be solved and the people's attention cannot be diverted, the current Serbian regime may collapse at any time, so they turned their attention to their "enemy" - the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The contradiction between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire has been around for a long time. As early as after the "Bosnian Crisis", Serbian nationalists were making various efforts to achieve "national independence and reunification".
However, as time went by, Serbian nationalism began to evolve towards extremes. Out of political needs, some politicians also publicly expressed strong words, intensifying domestic emotions. This made Bosnia and Herzegovina become an Austrian state. The focus of the conflict between the two countries.
There are more than 200 national self-defense organizations established in Serbia. They recruit and train soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organize guerrillas and volunteers, establish espionage systems, and prepare for war intensively. .
In Ernst’s view, the Austro-Hungarian Empire suffered an unreasonable disaster. After all, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, it wrested it from the Ottoman Empire. Now Serbia has completely blamed Austria-Hungary. There is indeed something unreasonable about the Empire.
Even Ernst, an outsider, thought so, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was naturally even more dissatisfied with the Serbians' "unreasonable" behavior.
As one of the great powers, the Austro-Hungarian Empire never believed that Serbia could pose a major threat to itself, so it began to deploy troops on the border between the two countries and organize frequent military exercises.
The behavior of Austria-Hungary and Serbia is obviously dancing on a powder keg, and this powder keg may detonate the entire Europe at any time.
……
June 28, 1914.
Sarajevo.
The Kalamen Beer Hall is one of the gathering places for Serbian “Black Hand” organizations.
"Graves, did you hear that? The Austro-Hungarian Empire held a military exercise in Bosnia."
"Of course, these damn Austro-Hungarians, they think they are Who? According to what the newspaper said, they not only provoked Serbia in Bosnia, but also regarded Serbia as an imaginary enemy. The ambition of the Austro-Hungarian Empire towards Serbia was clearly revealed," the young man said indignantly.
The conversation between the two resonated with most people in the bar. Nowadays, Serbia’s economy is in recession and it has experienced two wars. Everyone’s life is not easy and they are very depressed. The beer hall is obviously It's a place where you can vent your emotions.
Due to the unfavorable personal fate and the instigation of national public opinion, the Serbians hated the Austro-Hungarian Empire as naturally as drinking water.
“Graves is so right! The Austro-Hungarian Empire not only occupies our Bosnia, but also exploits our compatriots in various ways. Only by overthrowing this evil empire can the Balkans gain permanent Peace," echoed a drunkard. "Damn it, although I agree with what you said, the gap between us and the Austro-Hungarian Empire is too big. The Austro-Hungarian Empire has always been a well-known European power and a powerful country in Europe, but we in Serbia did not have much independence and freedom. For a long time, we spent a lot of national power to defeat the Ottomans, so what can we do in front of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?" someone said pessimistically.
“Gavrilo, don’t be too pessimistic. Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire is much more powerful than our Serbia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not terrible. We can definitely use the Russians to deal with the Austrian Empire. The Hungarian Empire and Russia will not remain indifferent while the Austro-Hungarian Empire annexes Serbia, so for us, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not invincible, and we also have top supporters behind us.”
Known as Garilov. The young man continued: "It is true that the Russians support us, but can the Russians support us in regaining Bosnia? Moreover, this Austro-Hungarian military exercise is a complete humiliation to Serbia, which I cannot accept."< br>
"For such humiliation, if it were directed at me personally, I would not be so indignant, but the Austro-Hungarian Empire was obviously a humiliation to the entire kingdom and our Serbian nation. It would be difficult to convince yourself if you were indifferent and did nothing."
Graves came over, patted Garilov on the shoulder and said: "Garilov, I understand your mood very well, and I also appreciate your correct attitude towards the country and the nation. We do We cannot remain indifferent and wait for death. We must fight back against the Austro-Hungarian Empire and let them know that we Serbs are not easy to mess with."
Garylov said: "Graves, is there anything you can do?"< br>
Graves nodded and said: "It's just some immature ideas, but once this idea is realized, it will definitely deter the Austro-Hungarian Empire."
Graves' statement naturally aroused Gallilov's interest, he asked: "Then what should we do? If your method is feasible, even if it means losing my own life, I will be willing to devote myself to the Serbian national cause."
Looking at this enthusiastic young man who had just joined the organization, Graves' mouth moved imperceptibly. Young people nowadays are very encouraging.
Of course, Graves still pretended to be serious and said to Garilov: "It is said that today the Archduke Ferdinand of Habsburg will go to Sarajevo to conduct a troop review. I think this is our opportunity. , since the people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire dare to show off their power on our land, then we will make them pay with blood.”
Assassinating a European archduke is not a small matter, and it is Habsburg. A member of Europe's top royal family.
But Garilov's eyes lit up, and he responded fiercely: "Yes, only with blood can the Austro-Hungarians see the courage of our Serbs. Only if they are taught a lesson can they Understand that no one can show off his power or dominate on the land of Serbia.”
At this time, Sarajevo actually belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Sarajevo was the capital of Bosnia, and Archduke Ferdinand came here to review Austria. The Hungarian army was not out of the ordinary either.
Sarajevo was originally a mixed place of three ethnic groups, inhabited by Ottomans, Serbs and Croats. However, because it is close to the Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia has a great influence on Sarajevo. Many Serbs, including Garilov, refer to the Kingdom of Serbia as They regard Sarajevo as the inherent territory of the Serbian nation.
This is unreasonable. After all, not only Serbs but also Ottomans and Croats live here. In addition to the three major ethnic groups, there are also ethnic groups such as Germans and Albanians.
But when encountering such ultra-nationalists, it is impossible to reason clearly. Garilov is bound to expel the "invader" of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from "Serbian soil."
Graves, a senior in the organization, is also willing to provide opportunities to young people, and he is ready to help Gary Love achieve an operation that will shock the world.
(End of this chapter)