April 15, 1934, Austria.
As flames of war sprang up across the Austro-Hungarian Empire and unrest engulfed Austria's surroundings, the Austrian people had completely run out of patience with the Habsburg Royal Family.
Yet during this period, Austria's various political forces and parties had become deeply tangled over one issue, to the point that Austria had remained calm and unruffled until now. That crucial issue was whether, and how, to preserve the territorial integrity of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after overthrowing the Habsburg Royal Family.
In his previous life, this question naturally would never have been discussed, because by this point in that previous life, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had long been forcibly dissolved, and Austria had become an independent country. But now, Austria was still nominally the ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Therefore, Austria's various factions had to consider whether to continue preserving the Empire's territorial integrity and establish a "Greater Austria," or whether Austria and the other regions should part ways and become independent.
This issue likewise troubled the Austrian Labor Party. Two factions had emerged within it. One side believed that even if they were to overthrow the Habsburg Royal Family and establish a democratic government, they had to ensure the Empire's integrity. Otherwise, they would be sinners against Austria—traitors who sold out their country.
The other side believed that class stood above nation. At the same time, Austria had in fact oppressed other ethnic regions in the past. As a party of advanced thought, the Austrian Labor Party should not, like the Habsburg Royal Family, sustain the Austro-Hungarian Empire, that machine of exploitation.
A final judgment on this matter would be made at today's Austrian Labor Party meeting.
After enduring long-term suppression, the Austrian Labor Party had amassed enough strength and was preparing to launch a coup in