Black Death

Chapter 785: Black Death

"Has the matter been investigated clearly? Is there any way to shift the blame onto the Anti-Ottoman Alliance?" Prime Minister Gladstone asked urgently.

Faced with the enemy's slander, the United Kingdom government naturally would not sit still and wait for death. They had not immediately struck back only because the incident had come too suddenly and they had made no preparations.

Foreign Secretary George shook his head. "We have already sent experts to inspect the site in person. Judging from the timeline, the Ottoman Empire is indeed suspected of manufacturing the plague.

"In the face of the facts, we cannot defend the Ottomans. Russia and Austria are pressing the International Investigation Commission for a conclusion. By tomorrow, London's newspapers will likely be carrying the final verdict."

The United Kingdom government had no ability to influence the International Investigation Commission's findings. Turning black into white before the Anti-Ottoman Alliance was simply impossible.

The Black Death's fearsome reputation was too great. Even mere "suspicion" was enough to terrify people.

The countries of Europe were now all hoping that Russia and Austria's epidemic prevention efforts would prove effective, keeping the virus confined to the Near East and sparing themselves from disaster.

It was obvious which side public opinion would support. No one had the leisure to care whether the Ottoman Government had been forced into it. Europe absolutely rejected such acts that violated human morality.

The cruel reality shattered Gladstone's last illusion. This time, the Ottoman Government had dragged them into the mud. It was inevitable that the London Government would be blamed by European citizens for supplying materials to the Ottomans.

Perhaps in only a few days, newspapers would print headlines such as: The London Government Provided Money and Resources, Buying Time for the Ottoman Empire to Manufacture