African Entrepreneurship Records 2

Chapter 1129 Dancing on a Powder Keg
It can be said that East African industry and commerce encountered a rather bad time in their search for overseas solutions, as Europe was facing a new round of economic crisis.

In 1912, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was the first to suffer an economic crisis, which then triggered a wave of industrial and commercial bankruptcies in the Near East, and international trade and financial markets gradually shrank. In August 1913, the heavy industry and financial sectors of Britain and Germany began to fall into trouble, the number of unemployed people soared, and industrial production in France, Italy, Japan, and other countries also began to decline.

At this time, East Africa's large-scale exports of its own industries further exacerbated the crisis in European society. The market was flooded with cheap products, but no one was interested in them. On the one hand, capital produced goods without limit, but on the other hand, it was unwilling to increase workers' wages, and social consumption was weak. Under this contradiction, Europe became a big powder keg, and social revolution could break out at any time.

If Europe is the powder keg of the world, then the Balkans are the powder keg of Europe. After the two Balkan Wars, the Balkan countries were generally poor, and after the war they were affected by the economic crisis.

During this period, if the current Serbian regime cannot solve these troubles and divert people's attention, it may collapse at any time, so they turned their attention to their "enemy" - the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The conflict between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire has a long history. As early as after the "Bosnian Crisis", Serbian nationalists had been making various efforts to achieve "national independence and unification".

However, as time went by, Serbian nationalism began to evolve towards extremism. Out of political needs, some politicians also publicly expressed tough words, intensifying domestic emotions, which made Bosnia and Herzegovina the focus of the conflict between Austria and Serbia.

The national self-defense organizations established in Serbia have more than 200 related committees, and they are recruiting and training soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organizing guerrillas and volunteers, and establishing a spy system, making intensive preparations for war.

In Ernst's view, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had suffered an unprovoked disaster. After all, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was snatched from the Ottoman Empire. It is indeed unreasonable for Serbia to now put all the blame on the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Even Ernst, an outsider, thought so. Naturally, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was even more dissatisfied with the Serbs' "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 in the border areas between the two countries and frequently organized military exercises.

The actions of Austria-Hungary and Serbia were clearly dancing on a powder keg that could explode the whole of Europe at any time.

……

1914 6 Month 28 Day.

Sarajevo.

Kalamen Beer House, one of the gathering places of the Serbian "Black Hand" organization.

"Graves, have you heard? The Austro-Hungarian Empire held a military exercise in Bosnia."

"Of course, these damn Austro-Hungarians, who do they think they are? According to what the newspapers said, they not only provoked us Serbia in Bosnia, but also regarded Serbia as an imaginary enemy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire's wolfish ambitions towards us Serbia are obvious." The young man said indignantly.

The conversation between the two resonated with most people in the bar. Serbia's economy is currently in a downturn and it has experienced two wars. Life is not easy for everyone and everyone is feeling very depressed. The beer hall is obviously a place where people can vent their emotions.

Due to their personal misfortunes and the instigation of national public opinion, the Serbs hated the Austro-Hungarian Empire as naturally as drinking water.

"Graves is absolutely right! The Austro-Hungarian Empire not only occupies our Bosnia, but also oppresses our compatriots in various ways. Only by overthrowing this evil empire can we achieve permanent peace in the Balkan Peninsula." A drunkard echoed. "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, while Serbia has only been independent and free for a short time. Before that, it consumed a lot of national strength 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 stronger than our Serbia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not terrible. We can use the Russians to deal with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Russia will not sit idly by and watch the Austro-Hungarian Empire annex Serbia. So for us, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is not invincible. We also have top supporters behind us.”

The young man called Garilov continued: "It is true that the Russians support us, but can they support us in regaining Bosnia? Moreover, this military exercise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is a complete humiliation to us Serbia, which I cannot accept."

"If it was directed at me personally, I would not be so indignant. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is clearly a humiliation to the entire kingdom and our Serbian nation. It is difficult to convince myself if I remain indifferent and do nothing."

Graves came over, patted Garilov on the shoulder and said, "Garilov, I understand your feelings and appreciate your correct attitude towards the country and the nation. We really cannot remain indifferent and sit idly by. We must fight back against the Austro-Hungarian Empire and let them know that we Serbs are not easy to mess with."

Garilov said, "Graves, do you have any ideas?"

Graves nodded and said, "These are just some immature ideas, but once this idea is realized, it will definitely deter the Austro-Hungarian Empire."

Graves's statement naturally aroused Garilov's interest. He asked: "What should we do? If your method is feasible, I am willing to sacrifice my own life for the Serbian national cause."

Looking at this enthusiastic young man who had just joined the organization, Graves' mouth twitched imperceptibly. Young people nowadays are easy to be instigated.

Of course, Graves still pretended to be serious and said to Garilov: "It is said that Archduke Ferdinand of Habsburg will come to Sarajevo to review the troops today. I think this is our chance. Since the people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire dare to show off their power on our land, we will make them pay with blood."

Assassinating a European grand duke is no small matter, especially a top European royal family member like the Habsburgs.

But Garilov's eyes lit up, and he responded fiercely: "That's right, only with blood can the Austro-Hungarians see the courage of us Serbs. Only when they are taught a lesson can they understand that no one can show off their power and bully others on Serbian soil."

At that time, Sarajevo actually belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As Sarajevo was the capital of the Bosnian State, it was not unusual for Archduke Ferdinand to come here to review the Austro-Hungarian army.

Sarajevo was originally a place where three ethnic groups lived together, including Ottomans, Serbs and Croats. However, because it was close to the Kingdom of Serbia, Serbia had a great influence on Sarajevo. Many Serbs, including Garilov, regarded themselves as members of the Kingdom of Serbia, and they also regarded Sarajevo as the inherent territory of the Serbian nation.

This is very unreasonable. After all, there are not only Serbs living here, but also Ottomans and Croats. In addition to the three major ethnic groups, there are also Germans, Albanians and other ethnic groups.

However, when faced with such extreme nationalists, it is impossible to reason with them. Garilov was bound to expel the "invader" of Austria-Hungary from "Serbian soil."

Graves, a senior in the organization, is also willing to provide opportunities to young people. He is ready to help Garylov carry out an action that will shock the world.

(End of this chapter)