Cracks

"The Germans were no longer our loyal allies. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had to rely on its own strength to safeguard its interests, even to continue existing. Therefore, all we could do next was vigorously develop our military strength. I hoped the Austro-Hungarian Empire's military power could contend with the Germans. Only then would we no longer have to fear them," Franz Joseph I said.

"Although I knew this was extremely difficult, I hoped it could become everyone's goal. Even if I could not live to see that day, I hoped the Austro-Hungarian Empire would remain strong forever!" Franz Joseph I continued.

"Your Majesty, we will certainly strive for it! The Austro-Hungarian Empire will certainly grow even stronger," Duke Kaspar said.

Franz Joseph I nodded approvingly. "However, for the time being, we still need to maintain good cooperative relations with the Germans. That would be most beneficial to the Empire!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Once the Germans win this war, they will become the most powerful country in the world, perhaps even far more powerful than the British Empire once was. Under such circumstances, it would be exceedingly unwise for the Empire to oppose the German Empire," Mario Weber said.

"The Germans' military strength is simply too formidable. Before the war broke out, no one had expected them to be so powerful, to defeat so many formidable enemies with such ease. After the war, Germany will possess the world's strongest navy, the strongest army, the most colonies, and perhaps even the strongest industrial power. Under such circumstances, no one will be able to contend with them," Count István von Tisza, Prime Minister of Hungary, said.

Besides having an Imperial Central Government, the Austro-Hungarian Empire's constituent states also had governments of their own. Nominally, these state governments obeyed the orders of the central