In the operations room of the Austro-Hungarian Empire General Staff Headquarters, one man had remained silent from beginning to end. He was General Anton Haus, commander of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Navy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had no post of First Sea Lord, so General Anton Haus was the Navy's highest commander.
Originally, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had not placed much importance on its Navy. After all, its coastline was too short. And the Adriatic Sea was too narrow; it would be easy for enemies to bottle them up inside. Thus, the Austro-Hungarian Empire Navy had never been particularly strong.
Only after Archduke Ferdinand became Crown Prince did the Empire begin to value naval development and increase its investment in the Navy. After Karl became Crown Prince, he increased that investment even further, even purchasing eight powerful Capital Ships in one stroke. This catapulted the Austro-Hungarian Empire Navy into becoming a powerful fleet second only to the German Navy.
This made everyone in the Austro-Hungarian Empire Navy utterly loyal to Karl I. General Anton Haus was no exception.
Just now, Prime Minister Mario Weber and the other Military and Political Ministers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire had actually begun discussing abandoning Karl I, which filled General Anton Haus with fury. Though nothing showed on his face, the hand concealed within his sleeve had clenched into a fist. If this had not been the Army's territory, and if rashly causing trouble would not only achieve nothing but drag himself down as well, he might well have given these fellows a vicious beating.
No matter what, Karl I was their Emperor! Although Karl I's actions this time had been somewhat extreme, causing the Austro-Hungarian Empire to suffer grave losses, his original intentions had been good! He had been unwilling to watch the Austro-Hungarian Empire be suppressed