Venice.
Since the Italo-Austrian War of the last century, Venice had remained under Austro-Hungarian Empire rule. Yet after all these years, its development within the Austro-Hungarian Empire could only be described as mediocre.
Although Venice, as a major seaport, held great appeal for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Trieste had already become the empire's maritime transport center before Venice was occupied. That trend remained unchanged after Venice's occupation.
Trieste's cargo throughput in 1932 reached more than four million tons, while Venice handled less than one million tons during the same period—not even a quarter of Trieste's volume.
Trieste lay closer to the Austro-Hungarian Empire's economic heartland, so most imperial cargo was transferred through Trieste. Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, and other regions all relied on it, making it naturally difficult for Venice to compete with Trieste.
Venice's industrial structure had also deteriorated severely. Historically, Venice had been a radiant pearl along the Adriatic coast, with a long history and deep foundations.
But the Italo-Austrian War of the last century had been an unprecedented calamity for Venice. The war destroyed its normal economic order, while large numbers of people fled, and many industries and workers were poached by East Africa at the time.
Thus, Venice at the end of the nineteenth century could only be described as a place where everything awaited reconstruction. Yet for various reasons, the Austro-Hungarian Empire invested only limited resources there.
Inside a Venice tavern, the Italian Lerto was railing against the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"Austria is the chief culprit behind Venice's decline. Venice was once one of Europe's most prosperous cities, with exceptionally flourishing commerce and trade. Now, forget all of Europe—even within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Venice barely ranked at all."
"Only by breaking away from the Austro-Hungarian Empire can Venice have a brighter economic future."
Drunk as a lord, Lerto