Without a doubt, the London Government ultimately chose to compromise with the French. Interests dictated it.
The timing the French had chosen was perfect. If the London Government refused to compromise, the Paris Government might turn around and strike a deal with Austria.
Although the French also feared that Austria would grow too powerful after annexing the Ottoman Empire, making the possibility of a deal with the Vienna Government very small, the London Government still did not dare gamble.
If it really happened, it would mean that France and Austria had reached a strategic understanding. To the British, that would be a disaster.
Even as it compromised, the London Government became more wary of the French. The Paris Government could already pull one over on them while mired in internal strife—what would happen once that strife ended?
At the London Peace Conference, Ambassador Hummel was growing somewhat hard-pressed under the joint pressure of Britain and France.
"For the sake of world peace, we can end this war. However, the Ottoman Empire must return the land it has occupied from us and bear responsibility for this war."
Austria had yielded, and many people breathed a sigh of relief. If they truly pushed back stubbornly, matters would become difficult. Armed intervention was easy to talk about, but troublesome to carry out.
It was fine to have the nations of Europe wave flags and shout encouragement, but asking them to fight for the Ottoman Empire? Better forget it! Sometimes spittle could kill too, and politicians had to think twice for the sake of their own reputations.
Ambassador Hummel, his face dark, also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This performance was finally drawing to a close. To avoid revealing any flaws, he had to keep his nerves taut every day. It had