Chapter 753 The Collapse of Serbia (Part 3)

This is different from the embarrassing scenario of the British, which is also the reason Carlo remains unfazed in this situation, because Spain still has options.

Unlike Spain, the United Kingdom’s choices are rather limited.

The isolation policy and regional balance policy the United Kingdom pursues make it impossible for them to personally enter the fray when two major military alliances are opposed.

Moreover, the United Kingdom’s relations with these European powers are not very good. Even if the British wanted to join, these powers might not be willing to let them in.

Although the United Kingdom’s inclusion would strengthen the alliance, it also means that any future benefits would have to be shared with the British.

The United Kingdom, being the strongest country, means that during the division of spoils, they would take the largest share.

But the United Kingdom happens to be isolated from the European Continent, meaning even if war breaks out, the British won’t be too affected.

If the United Kingdom were to join the alliance, perhaps the final victory in the war would benefit only the British.

Upon learning that the front line had successfully captured Uric, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria personally sent a telegram to the frontline generals, praising their excellent performance in the war and stating he would personally award them after the war.

The elderly Emperor’s personal praise filled these commanders with motivation, aiming to enrich their achievements to gain more benefits during the post-war rewards process.

This is also an advantage of monarchies; titles and lands can be given as rewards to those officers and soldiers demonstrating outstanding performances in war.

The monarchy and noble class have been passed down in Europe for thousands of years; the nobility’s prestige is deeply ingrained in the European populace’s minds.

Faced with the opportunity to become a member of the noble class, most officers are quite tempted. Those not too tempted are likely already part of the nobility, with titles so high that military merits can’t raise them further.

In contrast to Austria-Hungary’s army’s high morale, Serbia’s military situation is quite bleak.

European countries are reporting such news, even if Serbia reacts sluggishly, they are aware of the successive defeats on the front line.

If Serbia were purely being invaded, it would be fine; invasion wars can bring more morale and public support.

But the issue is, the war started because Sevia sheltered the rebel leaders from the Bosnia and Herzegovina region, a point heavily reported by Austrian media and spread to Serbia.

If the war were won, it wouldn’t be a problem for Serbia; after all, who wouldn’t want their country to become stronger?

Aren’t the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina considered Serbia’s compatriots? What’s wrong with protecting one’s own people?

But if the war fails, it creates a significant problem and responsibility for the Serbian government.

If it weren’t for the Serbian government’s sheltering of these rebel leaders, the war wouldn’t have started, and Serbian citizens wouldn’t have lost their loved ones due to this war.

Serbian citizens lost their loved ones because of this war, only to have the enemy hit home? How can Serbian citizens endure this?

Serbia’s dire situation is not only about the comprehensive conquest of the western border; the northern capital, Belgrade, is in a bad state too.

Over half of the capital’s area has been plowed through by Austria-Hungary’s artillery, leaving tens of thousands of Serbian citizens’ homes as ruins.

Given this situation, how can Serbian citizens not be angry? As soon as the news of Uric being captured reached Belgrade, large-scale demonstrations broke out in the southern district.

Serbian citizens gathered, expressing great dissatisfaction with the incompetent government that started the war and refusing to let such a government harm their country further.

The protests greatly frustrated the Serbian government; they haven’t resolved the Austria-Hungary army issue yet and now face accountability from the citizens domestically.

But at this time, neither problem can be solved. Austria-Hungary’s army is unbeatable unless Serbia can conjure more than 100,000 troops at this moment.

But this is obviously impossible, something only the legendary God could achieve. But clearly, even if there is a God, God would not favor Serbia.

As for the second point, it’s even more intractable. If it were ordinary times, there would be many solutions to citizen protests.

Either send officials to persuade them kindly, promise these citizens’ requests for quick dispersal, or mobilize police or military for armed suppression, then control the narrative to solve the trouble.

Currently, persuasion cannot resolve the situation; citizens heavily doubt the Serbian government’s capabilities and are very dissatisfied with the poor performance of Serbia’s army in the war.

Unless Serbia’s army could win a battle, this trust crisis cannot be resolved.

Mobilizing police or military to suppress is even unthinkable. All limited military forces around Belgrade have been sent to the front line, making mobilizing police or military impossible.

Even if there were armed forces available, could they truly suppress the demonstration given the circumstances?

The army performs poorly in war and instead turns its guns towards citizens—doesn’t this accelerate the progress of pushing out the government?

Neither persuasion nor force work, leaving the Serbian government without a good plan, becoming like a turtle hiding in its shell.

But clearly, being a turtle is just a temporary solution, unable to completely resolve the crisis of citizen demonstrations.

What’s more fatal is that the frontline situation worsens for Serbia. Besieged inside and outside, Serbia’s Prime Minister almost turned white overnight.