Chapter 358： The crumbling empire

As time entered mid-June, after a defeat against the Romanians, the endurance of the Austro-Hungarian people seemed to have finally reached its limit. Incidents of publicly propagating anti-war rhetoric on the streets have increased, and the attitude of the local government has become very subtle. They are not punishing these people, as if they hadn't found them. The waves lurking in the dark began to appear in the eyes of the world, which made the environment in Austria-Hungary become worrying.

Now it seems that anyone can criticize the government's various measures. The public is enduring hunger for this war while officials are spending time and drinks. The government oppressing ethnic minorities is depriving each other of their right to survive, and so on. These remarks that were completely dare not to be said in the past are now popping up all over the country.

In Prague, Bohemia (the former Czech name), many people gathered in a manor outside the city. These people are all people of great prestige in the region. They are now gathered together to discuss a major issue concerning the future of the nation. Thick curtains were hung around the windows, and there were vigilant guards all around. The sound from time to time in the hall made the guards look around more vigilantly.

"Everyone has seen the current situation of the war. The failure of this war is inevitable. At this time, we must make our own prudent decisions for the future of the Czechs. Please note that your decisions will be written into the history books in the future, so that future generations Appreciate the enthusiasm of our nation for independence. In addition, I can tell you the good news that Chairman Masaryk has requested a batch of military and economic assistance from the United States, which will provide tremendous help to our independence cause."

A tall and thin middle-aged man was generously speaking to the attendees about the importance of this secret gathering. And what he called Masaryk was the leader of the Bohemian independence movement.

This Masaryk was born on March 7, 1850 in Hodonin, Moravia. Graduated from the University of Vienna with a doctorate degree.

In 1882, he served as a professor of philosophy at Charles University and founded publications such as "Athens Literature and Art" and "Time" to criticize the autocracy and national oppression of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He has been elected as a member of the Austrian imperial parliament many times.

The Czech People's Party was founded in 1900 (renamed the Czech Progressive Party in 1905), seeking to realize the autonomy of the Czechs within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After the outbreak of the Great War, Masaryk went into exile in December 1914 because his hardline autonomy claims were not in the interests of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During this period he used his reputation to unite the Czechs abroad to conduct propaganda against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, hoping to fight for national independence with the support of the Allied Powers. Moreover, he organized the Czechoslovak Corps in Russia, France, Italy and other countries to support the Allied Powers. After his unremitting efforts, he finally established the Czech National Committee in Paris in 1916 and served as its chairman.

It can be seen from the fact that he calls Masaryk the chairman that he is not a member of the Czech Progressive Party, but also a member of the Czechoslovak National Committee established in Paris.

"Mr. Szstefanik, what do you say about the industries belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Empire after our independence?"

A fat-eared man stood up and asked. He didn't sit down after speaking, but waited for Mr. Szstefaník's answer.

This sentence caused quite a stir in the conference hall, because there are too many assets belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in Bohemia. As a rare coal and iron area in the empire, the government has invested a lot of money to develop it over the years. After these years of accumulation, these wealth can make many people jealous, and they all want to pounce on their mouths full of oil.

This middle-aged man, known as Szstéphane, took a look at this fat man, and also caught the actions of many people present in the eyes. At the same time, I despise the short-sighted and greedy behavior of these people in my heart. If you haven't succeeded independently, you just want to take advantage. Sooner or later, these people will be eliminated. However, he had discussed with Chairman Masaryk before the meeting, that these industries could be distributed to some influential people in the region.

So he watched everyone’s actions and said: “We have discussed this Mr. Krones’s question long ago. When the nation becomes independent in the future, we will unconditionally nationalize these industries to compensate the Austro-Hungarian government over the years. The oppression of our nation. After we take it back, we will auction these industries so that those who have the ability can continue to operate."

In the words of Szstefanik, everyone present knew that this was intended to reward these Austro-Hungarian industries. Nationalization, auctions, and other actions are just to confuse people.

Szstéfaneke’s answer did not allow the fat-eared Mr. Krones to sit down, but he asked again: "Mr. Benas, do you agree with Szstéfane's suggestion?"

Krones' words made the people present to cast their eyes on a somewhat bald, middle-aged man with glasses. This should be the Mr. Benes.

Facing Krones’s inquiry, this Mr. Benes stood up and said: “I agree with Mr. Szstéphane’s suggestion. This has a huge effect on our national independence cause, and I have no reason to oppose it. This kind of suggestion that is beneficial to the nation."

The words of Benes finally pushed the Mr. Krones back to his seat. For this provocative Krones, everyone present knew that this was a factory owner who made a fortune by buying grain and then became a textile industry. It was not his wealth that made him famous, but his greed. Working in other factories, the salary is generally 10-15% lower than other factories. However, thanks to the fact that he knows many big people and the prices are relatively low, the products of his factory have not been short of sales, which can make more wealth instead.

He had always supported the Vienna government before, but now seeing the general trend of Austria-Hungary going, he immediately devoted himself to the cause of supporting independence. Can be regarded as a standard wall grass, but also a greedy wall grass. In fact, people like Krones are not rare in today's secret gatherings. However, in order to take into account the overall situation, and these people have a lot of power in the local area, they still have to be brought in.

As for why he asked Benes’ opinion? It’s simple, because Benes is the leader of the Czech National Party. This is very influential among Czech intellectuals, merchants, and landlords. And they advocated the right of autonomy through the Austro-Hungarian government, so they formed radical and moderate factions with Masaryk's National Progressive Party. And now Benes’s words represent the same interests of the two factions, so this can convince Krones.

Now that the representative two parties agree, this has also strengthened the confidence of many people who are on the sidelines.

Seeing this situation, Szstefannik immediately took the heat and said: "Now let's vote by show of hands on whether to launch a demonstration of the people on the streets against the war."

After speaking, he raised his right hand, and the densely populated people in the hall basically raised their hands. Even if there were some hesitating people, they immediately raised their hands when they saw this situation, and even some people were about to stand up.

After seeing everyone's agreement, Szstefannik said: "Then we decided to launch a demonstration in the streets against the war in three days. This time we must let Vienna see our determination. I hope everyone will do their best. Come to mobilize the people, and future history will remember this day."

Szstefanik's words made many people feel that they were making history, and many people showed sacred expressions, as if they had been sublimated.

This secret rally was a complete success.

After most of the people were gone, Benes found Szstéphane alone.

When there were only two people, Benes couldn't help asking: "This time Britain and France really agree, let us occupy Slovakia and other places in the future?"

Facing Benes’s question, Szstéphane nodded and replied: “Yes, this is what Prime Minister George of England and Prime Minister Clemenceau of France told us personally. As long as we can make Vienna overwhelming, they will take Slovakia. The region is assigned to us to establish a new country. Think about it, how much help this will help our new country in the future, and Masaryk has discussed with the United States, and the United States also recognizes this matter. This is our opportunity. , Never give up."

At the end of the talk, Szstéphane showed a resolute look. It seems that he has been obsessed with Slovakia.

It is true that the industry in the Czech Republic is developed, but the population is less than 5 million. If you add the Slovak region, it can somewhat ease the pressure of underpopulation. Moreover, the agriculture in Slovakia can also fill up the shortcomings of the Czech region, which will be of great benefit to the new country in the future.

"I just don't know how people in Slovakia will react. There are also political parties that seek autonomy in the region, especially the Slovak Democratic Party."

In the face of Benes’ concerns, Szstéfanić said nonchalantly: “This is the decision of the Allied Powers. Do these Slovaks dare to oppose it?”

Szstéphane's words Benes said after thinking about it a little bit. "That's true."

"Prepare for the parade now. If something goes wrong this time, it will be a disaster."

After three days of preparation, on June 23. Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Karlovy Vary and other places in the Czech region. A large number of people gathered together and launched a massive anti-war game. Under the slogan "Want for bread, not war", they gathered together to denounce the government's inaction. The most powerful one was of course Prague, where nearly 200,000 people gathered for anti-war demonstrations. The number of anti-war demonstrations in the entire Czech region exceeded the million mark, and the government was helpless on such a scale. The appeasement order from Vienna was not recognized by the public either.

The anti-war game in the Czech region has stimulated other regions. After seeing the government’s incompetent measures, demonstrations broke out one after another in Croatia, Bohemia, and the Kingdom of Hungary. These demonstrations affected all walks of life in Austria-Hungary. Even Austria, where the Habsburg family was born, also broke out on a large scale. This made the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire even worse.

Now that Franz I is resurrected, there is no way to calm the anger of the people. The Austro-Hungarian regime has become dangerous.