As time passed, the overseas interests of various countries continued to expand, leading to more frequent frictions and counter maneuvers among the great powers. Many of these conflicts arose passively, rather than by deliberate action. Austria sought to destroy the Ottoman Empire to secure a stable rear, but in doing so, it inadvertently extended its influence into Persia, gaining the ability to threaten India. In overseas colonial activities, Austria and Britain had many areas of mutual restraint, and the threats went both ways. If one could undermine the other’s interests, retaliation was always an option. This mutual restraint was evident in several cases: Britain’s Cape of Good Hope remained undisturbed under Austria’s watchful eye, while Austrian Alaska, despite bordering Canada, had never led to direct conflict. However, times had changed. Austrian Alaska was no longer a barren land of ice and snow, it had become one of the world’s most famous gold-producing regions. Of course, its fame did not come from an extraordinary gold yield, but rather from the colonial government’s skillful advertising. In terms of actual gold production, the world's major gold regions ranked as follows: South Africa, Australia, Canada, the United States, Russia, and West Africa, with Alaska only in seventh place. Austrian Alaska was primarily known for its harsh climate, which Austrian poets had once mockingly called “God’s Trial.” Lacking population, the colonial government of Austrian Alaska decided to embrace the phrase and turned it into a promotional slogan. Publicly, it was declared that Alaska has the world’s most extreme natural conditions for gold mining and that it is God’s trial for mankind. Only those who withstand the trials set by God can strike it rich and reach the pinnacle of success. Of course, Russia might not agree with the claim that Alaska had the harshest natural conditions, since the Russian Empire also had its fair share of gold mines in brutal climates. Calling it “God’s trial” was not an exaggeration. Those who failed the trial would really meet God. In the icy wilderness of Alaska, thousands of prospectors perished each year on their journey for gold. Those who actually struck it rich were the rare few who had survived the ordeal. With an annual gold output of tens of tons, Alaska was a lucrative asset that the Austrian government was not willing to part with easily. If the British government had not been so fixated on India, it might have noticed the growing mutual restraint between Austria and Britain. While India was a tempting prize, Austria would never take the risk of seizing it without absolute certainty of success. A “potential” threat remained just that, potential. The British had spent years solidifying their rule in India, and their empire was not built on shaky foundations. Britain was at its peak. Anyone foolish enough to think British India was an easy target would charge in headfirst, only to come out battered and broken. … London. The goodwill extended by the Austrian government pulled the British government out of its panic. As the saying goes, “If you are also afraid, then I can rest easy.” Since Austria still feared Britain, it meant that India was safe for the time being. At 10 Downing Street, after a rational analysis of the pros and cons, Gladstone found himself confused. “What do you think the Austrian government really wants by suddenly showing goodwill?” As if realizing something, Foreign Secretary George’s face changed drastically. “The true intentions of the Austrians are still unclear for now, but I am afraid we are about to face serious trouble. Austria’s willingness to sign a security treaty with us only proves that the Austrian government is not interested in Persia at the moment. However, this does not mean that the Russians have lost interest as well. The international situation is constantly shifting. Although Austria is currently ahead of other European nations, its continental dominance is far from secure. The fact that the Austrian government is extending goodwill toward us shows that Austria does not have the confidence to firmly establish itself as Europe’s hegemon. Neither the ambitious Russians nor the proud French will acknowledge Austria’s dominance. Caught between France and Russia, Austria’s supposed continental supremacy is nothing more than a joke. Perhaps realizing this, the Austrian government has never openly claimed to be the ruler of Europe. As time passes, both France and Russia will regain their strength, and when that happens, Austria will be in serious trouble. Based on past experience, Austria will not engage in direct confrontation with France or Russia. More likely, it will once again play the game of shifting conflicts elsewhere. I fear that their next move will be to encourage the Russians to expand southward into the subcontinent, provoking tensions between Russia and us so they can focus entirely on dealing with France. Our carefully orchestrated North German Empire may end up serving as Austria’s gatekeeper in the west.” The reason an open scheme is so terrifying is that even when it is exposed, events will still unfold as planned. Russia’s ambitions are not something the British government can eliminate. Unlike Russo-Austrian relations, which have been maintained through ups and downs since the Napoleonic Wars, Anglo-Russian relations have always been a complete mess. Even if Austria’s plans were placed directly on Alexander III’s desk, the Russian government would still eagerly advance southward into the subcontinent. A warning from the British government would only have the opposite effect. Trust is always far easier to destroy than to build. Over the past few decades, Austria and Russia have established a basic level of trust across three generations of monarchs. Though they have secretly undermined each other, agreements between the two have ultimately been honored. Austria’s encouragement for Russia to move south represents tangible benefits, so the Russian government will naturally believe it. On the other hand, if Britain warns Russia about Austria’s scheme to drive a wedge between them, the Russian government will simply ignore it. After all, you cannot be alienated from something you never had in the first place. As for the North German Empire acting as Austria’s gatekeeper, that is an inescapable reality dictated by geography. Sandwiched between France and Austria, it has no choice but to play that role. The only way out would be to abandon the plan for a North German Empire and allow the region to remain divided. But a weak and fragmented German Federal Empire would be of no use at all. This would be the worst possible choice, without exception. However, external pressure is often what drives a nation to unite. Unless the British government personally steps in to help contain the military pressure from France, the numerous small states in the German region will quickly align with Austria. After hesitating for a moment, Gladstone sighed and said, “Austria is offering too high a price, one that will be difficult for the Russians to refuse. But that is a matter for the future. In the short term, the Russian government should remain relatively restrained. Have the Governor of India prepare, as Central Asia and Persia are bound to become unstable soon. Warn the French and tell them to rein in their ambitions. If they end up giving Austria an opportunity to reorganize the anti-French coalition, they will have no one to blame but themselves when the consequences arrive. From now on, we must be on high alert, especially the Foreign Office. They need to be even more vigilant. This time, the opponent we are facing is different from before. They are far more difficult to deal with than France or Russia, and our past experiences won’t be of much use against them. The primary battlefield has already shifted. From direct military confrontation to a contest of diplomacy.” The Austrian government had been making consecutive moves, leaving the British government in a position where it could only respond passively. This left Gladstone deeply frustrated. After all, Britain had always prided itself on being a diplomatic powerhouse. Yet now, they were being led by the nose, unable to even figure out where to begin countering Austria’s strategy. With full confidence, Foreign Secretary George replied, “Don’t worry, Prime Minister. We were only caught off guard by Austria’s moves due to our lack of vigilance. That’s why we fell into a passive position. This will not happen again.” … On November 18, 1882, the Anti-Ottoman Coalition successfully converged at the Kızılırmak River, leaving the Ottoman Empire in a precarious situation. Inside the Ankara Palace, Abdul Hamid II was growing increasingly anxious, far more than when Austrian airships had dropped bombs over his head during the last Near East War. Britain had indeed provided substantial support in the past, but that was history now. With Anatolia split in two, the western region was completely isolated, surrounded on all sides by the Anti-Ottoman Coalition. No matter how much aid Britain wanted to send, there was no way to deliver it. Theoretically, the British could still use airships for airdrops. Unfortunately, that was not an option. Britain’s support for the Ottomans had its limits since directly using airships for supply drops would be a direct provocation against the Anti-Ottoman Coalition. If that led to an escalation, dragging Britain into the conflict, the British government would have nothing to do but weep. Neither Austria nor Russia had the strength to challenge British rule in India alone, but if the two nations joined forces, it would be a different story. Even if they could not drive the British out entirely, they could at least bring the war to the heart of India. Facing two of the world’s three strongest land powers at once was not a risk Britain was willing to take. Going to war to defend the Ottomans? That idea would not even get past its initial proposal before a new government took over in Downing Street. A panicked Abdul Hamid II asked, “Grand Vizier, what should we do now?” Midhat Pasha, visibly unsettled, replied, “Your Majesty, at this point, the enemy will not leave us a way out. If we want to preserve the Ottoman Empire, we must fight with everything we have. The Russian army is now just over 80 kilometers from Ankara. We must prepare for the defense of the capital, and Your Majesty could personally visit the front lines to boost morale.” “Do we still have any hope of winning?” Abdul Hamid II asked expectantly. He desperately wanted someone to give him a definite answer. However, Midhat Pasha was not one to flatter. The dire state of the country had already left him mentally exhausted, and now was certainly not the time for empty reassurances. “The enemy’s advantage is overwhelming. Our chances of winning the war are almost nonexistent. However, there is still hope of preserving the Ottoman Empire. If we inflict heavy casualties on the Anti-Ottoman Coalition, the sheer scale of their losses will force them to reconsider and come to the negotiating table. At that point, by making some concessions, we may be able to send them away and end this war with dignity.” Abdul Hamid II clenched his fists and said firmly, “Very well, I will go inspect the military camps at once.” The worst thing a person can face is the absence of hope. Even when hope is faint, people cannot help but grasp at it. By now, Abdul Hamid II had lowered his expectations and even preserving the Ottoman Empire and securing his throne would be enough.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/PwXsBkC (Maps of the current territories of the countries in this novel made by ScH)
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Great Maps, Istanbul should be changed to Constantinople on the second one tho.
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