On June 18, 1861, the Austrian Ocean-going Fleet left Japan and sailed into the Pacific Ocean. Count Hummel stood on the deck, gazing into the distance, sighing from time to time.
Lieutenant General Arest, commander of the Ocean-going Fleet, asked in puzzlement, "Count, you do not seem to be in high spirits?"
Count Hummel sighed. "Commander, the homeland wants us to establish a foothold in the Republic of Nicaragua, but I fear it will not be so easy. More than likely, we will have to settle it by force."
Lieutenant General Arest asked doubtfully, "Forgive me, Count, but I do not see what the trouble is.
"Nicaragua is merely a tiny country, with a total population of only three or four hundred thousand. Whites account for less than ten percent. It has almost no industry. How could it possibly threaten us?"
That was the truth. There were no powerful countries in Central America. Even if they were all tied together, Arest would not feel any pressure.
The rulers there were less a republic than a handful of mine owners and plantation owners.
These people might be able to bully the local natives, but against a regular army, Lieutenant General Arest dared guarantee that a single regiment would be enough to deal with them.
Count Hummel shook his head. "What about a pretext for war? If we attack Nicaragua rashly without sufficient cause, are we still supposed to carry on with the state visits afterward?"
This was the difference between how politicians and soldiers considered matters. The military had only seen how easy it would be to occupy Nicaragua, without considering the political repercussions.
Otherwise, the Vienna Government's orders would not have been to find a foothold, but to occupy Nicaragua—or even all the countries of Central America.
Lieutenant General Arest