"How are preparations for the warship auction coming along? Have many countries registered?" Oscar did not regard the Austro-Hungarian Empire's contact with the United States as any major threat. He had already made plans to move against the Austro-Hungarian Empire once Franz Joseph I died.
How could one allow another to snore beside one's bed? Although the German Empire had become the world's hegemon, it would not permit a powerful nation like the Austro-Hungarian Empire to continue existing.
Didn't America of later generations, while exerting its might over the entire world, also go to every possible length to suppress its neighboring countries? It ensured that none of them could become great powers, thereby securing its own safety.
That was what the German Empire needed to do as well. The Austro-Hungarian Empire bordered the German Empire directly. Even if the two sides were allies, Germany still needed to eliminate the Austro-Hungarian Empire for its own security. Breaking that vast empire into a string of small nations would undoubtedly best serve the German Empire's interests.
Splitting the Austro-Hungarian Empire would not be particularly difficult for Germany. This enormous empire was originally a dual monarchy composed of more than a dozen kingdoms and duchies. It was only Franz Joseph I's prestige that had held the country together. Once Franz Joseph I died, Crown Prince Karl's prestige would be nowhere near enough to keep the empire intact. At that point, Germany merely needed to add fuel to the fire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire would be highly likely to fracture. Then Germany's security would be guaranteed.
Another neighboring country was Buru. Germany had gained vast territories in this war, pushing its eastern border far to the east. However, Buru was not like the Austro-Hungarian Empire; it would be much harder to deal with. Thus, Germany