On June 18, the Berlin Conference formally convened. The venue was the Cabinet's conference room. Although many countries were attending this conference, usually only national leaders and officials in charge of foreign affairs took part, while all other staff had to wait outside the conference room. Thus, an ordinary meeting room was enough to accommodate all the participants.
Emperor Qin Tian of the Empire attended the conference in person. When Oscar entered the conference room, the leaders of every nation rose to greet him. Though some of them were far older than Oscar, they behaved with utmost respect before him. After all, Oscar was the Emperor of the German Empire, the world's strongest nation. The strength of his country far surpassed theirs. Before Oscar, these people had no right to put on the airs of kings or presidents.
"Hello, everyone. Please, take your seats!" Oscar said with a smile, appearing warm and approachable.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the kings and presidents said one after another.
Afterward, Imperial Prime Minister Wachth presided over the conference.
"Your Majesties, gentlemen presidents, welcome to the German Empire, to Berlin, for this conference. All of our countries are European nations—we are one family. Now that the international situation is growing ever more complicated, we should all the more unite as one and weather the storm together," Imperial Prime Minister Wachth said.
Right at the start of the conference, Wachth directly laid bare its theme. The purpose was very clear: he hoped that the nations of Europe could unite to face the crisis. As for what crisis it was, there was no need to say—it was undoubtedly the coming war. This did not come as a surprise to the leaders of these nations.
Wachth spoke for a full half hour before finishing. He expounded in detail