Chapter 757 - 348: Austria-Serbia Peace Talks

Although the Russian ambassador’s contact with Germany was relatively secret, such news quickly reached the ears of various European countries.

Once the most powerful countries on both sides of this great war begin to engage in peace talks, it actually signifies that this war is about to end, and in a manner of negotiation, rather than with one side completely defeating the other.

However, compared to the peace talks between Germany and Russia, the countries of Europe clearly pay more attention to the direction of the situation after this war.

Currently, the military alliance led by Germany and Austria is quite clear, and another major power, Italy, has an inseparable connection with this military group.

The one naturally opposing this powerful military group is the war’s other main character, Russia. If France and Russia could form an alliance treaty, Europe would completely form a situation where two major military alliances confront each other.

In the face of the confrontation between the two major military groups, the presence of other non-aligned countries would be greatly reduced. Even the United Kingdom does not have much presence in front of these two powerful military alliances.

This in fact represents one matter, that the countries of Europe should express their positions after this war ends.

In terms of stance, there are only three options: either leaning towards one of the two major military alliances or strictly maintaining neutrality.

Maintaining neutrality also requires considering the conduct of the two major military alliances, as neutrality is not something that can be declared on one’s own. It must be recognized by other countries to ensure protection from invasion.

Currently, Switzerland is the only recognized neutral country, besides having declared permanent neutrality relatively early and being recognized by other European countries through the 1815 Vienna Declaration. Another major reason is Switzerland’s mountainous geography and unimportant geographical location, making it unnecessary for countries to risk offending others by attacking this neutral nation.

Other than Switzerland, the permanently neutral country, all other countries in Europe need to consider their diplomatic stance amid the newly emerging European situation.

Whether to support one of the military groups or to remain neutral is not important; what is important is to fully implement one’s diplomatic stance, avoiding indecisive wavering.

The peace negotiations between Germany and Russia lasted for a long time, with little dispute over the Polish region. Germany also knew it would be impossible to take it at this time.

The only area of contention is the Balkan Region, as Russia is unwilling to lose its loyal Serbia so quickly.

But clearly, the situation in Serbia is no longer dictated by Russia at this time.

Serbian King Milan Obrenovic announced the dismissal of the Pro-Russian Cabinet Government and immediately appointed a loyal nobleman to form a provisional military government.

The first task of the provisional government upon taking office was to vigorously purge the previous Pro-Russian Cabinet and use media power to shift all the war’s responsibilities to the previous cabinet.

In addition to utilizing the Pro-Russian faction’s influence, Serbian King Milan Obrenovic cleverly made use of the public demonstrations in Belgrade.

The angry public stormed the homes of the previous cabinet’s officials, subjecting these officials, who incited the war for personal gain, to a righteous beating.

Although most officials were protected by the police who arrived quickly, some still lost their lives under the crowd’s righteous beating.

The fury of the Serbian populace can be understood, as this war has cost Serbia and all Serbians dearly.

Since Serbia’s independence, its total population was only 2.7 million. The war caused casualties reaching over 100,000.

Just the soldiers who died or were critically wounded and likely to die totalled nearly 30,000. This represents 30,000 families and over 100,000 Serbians losing family members.

Besides the loss of population, the war coincided with a crucial agriculture planting period, leaving Serbia’s agriculture in near total ruin.

It is expected that this year’s agricultural harvest in Serbia will hit a ten-year low, with large numbers of Serbians lacking sufficient food for survival.

Before the outbreak of this war, due to the competition for control over the Serbian government between Russia and Austria-Hungary, this newly independent small country received substantial support.

At that time, the standard of living of the Serbian populace was relatively good. This war, which upended their lives, was the reason for the populace’s anger at the government.

After successfully transferring the public’s anger to the previous Cabinet Government, the Serbian King quickly initiated a purge of the previous cabinet.

He and the previous cabinet belonged to opposing factions, one pro-Austrian and the other pro-Russian. They were enemies by nature, so there was no reason to show mercy.

Those members of the cabinet who survived the wrath of the Serbian crowd barely had time to feel relieved before facing the king’s righteous judgment.

Due to the destruction caused by the cabinet government, the trials were not only swift but also severe.

The former Prime Minister, Nikola Hristic, was sentenced to death and executed the next day.