NOVPUBAs time passed, the rising anti-France movement in the Germany Region gradually spread to the Austrian Region.
Although the voices calling for a break in France-Austria trade were not loud, the calls for people to boycott French goods were incessant.
As a result, the total import and export trade between France and Austria in the first quarter of 1889 decreased sharply by 36.8% compared to the same period last year, and goods with French labels were almost unseen on the market.
Not only Austria was affected, with the push of interests, the anti-France wave gradually spread throughout the European world.
Even in Britain, which had just formed an alliance with France, a movement to boycott French goods erupted. Capital only cares about profits, not international relations.
Competitors are enemies, when French goods were boycotted, their own goods could be sold a bit more. Why pass up an opportunity to make money?
Seeing the European world take practical actions to support Prussia and Germany, the French government, at the center of the storm, also panicked.
Was it not just about being strong over the weak? That’s what the powers all did, why did it not work when it came to them?
When Napoleon IV received the news of the boycott by the European world, he was completely dumbfounded; he could not understand why this was happening.
Foreign Minister Karl Chardlets, "Your Majesty, the sudden outbreak of the boycott against us in Europe must be manipulated by someone.
It could never be Prussia and Germany; if they had this influence, they would have acted long ago, and would not need to compromise with us.
To be able to influence the public opinion of various countries in Europe against us at the same time, only the Anglo-Austrian two countries have the capability.
This is probably just a start. If not handled properly, more targeted actions against us will follow."
The truth has already become irrelevant; anyway, this blame must be placed. Otherwise, it would indicate the incompetence of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in failing to take timely action to contain the spread of the anti-French movement.
Economic Minister Elsa, "No matter who the enemy is, the current situation cannot continue.
Every day we delay now inflicts substantial harm on the domestic economy." 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝒃.𝒄𝒐𝙢
France’s withdrawal from the free trade system did not mean that it no longer depended on the international market. On the contrary, the French economy was still inextricably linked to the international market.
As long as France still needed to import industrial raw materials, it had to export industrial and commercial products in exchange for foreign currency to balance import and export trade.
Being boycotted by the European world, France’s foreign export volume plummeted, severely affecting the survival of domestic export companies.
Napoleon IV was troubled. Now, two options lay before them: either to endure and wait for the news to fade before dealing with it, or to give up the aggressive terms and calm this storm.
Of course, there was a third option, which was to simply go to war.
Without a doubt, the third option was impossible. If the European world had not responded collectively, Napoleon IV might have taken a risk once more, but now, it was better not to!
Since the rise of nationalism, public opinion was not easy to provoke. Going against European public opinion, who knew whether it could trigger a new round of anti-French wars?
On this issue, the French public had set an example. During the period of the Polish Revolution, they had spontaneously organized a volunteer army, and had it not been for the countries along the way denying passage, they might have actually gone.
Putting oneself in others’ shoes, Napoleon IV could not ignore this risk. Most critically, their British ally was not being supportive, not helping but instead joining in the turmoil.
However, it seemed that the British could not be blamed for this. The relationships between Prussia, Germany, and Britain had always been good, almost reaching the stage of becoming allies, begrudgingly considered almost like a junior partner.
Even now, as the British needed French support, they couldn’t easily abandon their nurtured pawns.
Not directly stepping out and opposing the French government outright was already giving face.
Prime Minister Terence Burkin urged, "From all the current signs, the Austrian Government must have made a move, and the British are probably also pushing behind the scenes."
From the beginning, the London Government has been opposed to our use of extreme measures against the Beide Countries. If the situation escalates, it will be hard for us to garner support.
Now that we have tested the limits of various nations already, it is time to hold back while we’re ahead!
Let’s cool down for a while, and after things settle down, we will find the right moment to act."
Cowardice?
The answer is: No!
The international situation seems to be a standoff between two major alliances, but there is still a gap from an actual confrontation, as even Britain and Russia, who have the worst relations, have not genuinely started fighting.
This means, if France rashly makes a move against the Beide Countries, it will provoke the intervention of a tripartite alliance.
Even if the British could abide by the treaty and save face for their allies, faced with possible joint intervention from Russia and Austria, the French government does not have the power to oppose the two empires.
After hesitating for a moment, Napoleon IV nodded helplessly, "Indeed, we should ease off. Protest to the Austrian Government and strongly condemn their nefarious actions against France.
The British are about to occupy the Afghan Region, aren’t they? Let them press on; also, secretly send someone to contact the Russians, telling them we are currently not opposed to their entry into the Indian Ocean."
Europe is really too small to accommodate four major powers. The contradictions between Russia and Austria are significant, not to mention between England and France.
If there is an opportunity to eliminate each other, no one would hesitate. Allies are only temporary, but conflicts have persisted for centuries.
Austria wants to trigger a war in Central Asia to weaken Britain and Russia, and isn’t France doing the same?
Otherwise, on what basis would Napoleon IV have accepted, if not for the British’s empty promises?
As for the Central Europe issue, it can completely be addressed after Britain and Russia have started fighting. Without the disruption of these two powers, wouldn’t France dominate Europe?
...
The Vienna Palace received the protest letter from the French government, and Franz silently took the blame.
An explanation was not possible. Taking the blame to gain the support of the people in the Germany Region, Franz truly found no reason to refuse.
Although this incident was not his doing. Austria did not have the capacity to influence the media across so many countries in such a short time.
But since the French insisted that Austria was responsible, Franz was willing to take this blame, thus confirming their accusations.
The European governments secretly encouraging the anti-French movements are probably thanking Austria’s fearless spirit for taking all of France’s hatred onto itself alone.
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As to whether anyone would come forward to claim responsibility, that was completely overthinking it. Who else would dare to take on such a task that profoundly offends the French, apart from Austria which had interests to do so?
Did they really think France was an easy target, to be squeezed however they wanted? If it had been a smaller country, the Paris Government wouldn’t have protested but would have taken direct action instead.
Since there is a cause, as long as the French do not face national extinction or territorial loss, merely beating up someone and demanding a war indemnity wouldn’t provoke a mass brawl among European countries.
Putting aside the documents in his hand, Franz smiled and said, "Since the French have come to us, we must not disappoint their good intentions.
Launch a media campaign in the Germany Region to let everyone know the efforts we have made to protect the interests of our German compatriots."
...
