"**This is outrageous! The Germans have gone too far! They actually demanded that the Empire revoke its decision by force—this is a complete disregard for the Austro-Hungarian Empire's dignity! And the Austro-Hungarian Empire has never been the German Empire's Protectorate, much less their subordinate. They have no right to order us about!" Karl I flew into a rage.
When Baron von Berchtold's Telegram reached Vienna, it immediately caused a tremendous uproar among the Austro-Hungarian Empire's ruler and ministers.
Although they had anticipated that the German Empire would be deeply dissatisfied after they decided to withdraw from the Allied Powers, they now realized they had still underestimated the German Empire's anger. The German Emperor had personally issued a warning to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, one that could even be considered an Ultimatum. This undoubtedly meant that if the Austro-Hungarian Empire could not meet Germany's demands, relations between the two countries would rupture completely. And the consequences that followed would very likely be war.
Baron von Berchtold had also sent his own speculation back to Vienna. Though some ministers felt it was rather alarmist, quite a few still believed it was no exaggeration. Given Germany's current strength, if it chose to wage war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they would have no way to resist. The military's senior figures in particular all felt that something was amiss.
"Your Majesty, Baron von Berchtold is right. This is probably deliberate on the Germans' part. They are looking for an excuse to wage war against us. Previously, we were their allies, so they had no excuse to attack us. If they did, they would lose the moral high ground. But now that we have withdrawn from the Allied Powers, they have immediately pinned the crime of treachery upon us. If the Germans use this charge to wage