Before one wave had settled, another rose.
Just as the arms race among Britain, France, and Austria was reaching its climax, fresh turmoil erupted in Central Asia.
On July 11, 1887, Lytton, the British Viceroy of India, suddenly notified the Afghan Government that he intended to send a delegation to visit Kabul.
When a weasel paid respects to a chicken, it naturally meant no good.
Although many years had passed since the last Anglo-Afghan War, British colonial activities in Afghanistan had never ceased. There had never been any so-called friendship between the two countries.
Anti-British sentiment among the Afghan people had always run high. Considering that the delegation's safety could not be guaranteed, as well as the Russians' likely reaction—
To avoid trouble, Abdul Rahman Khan, the Emir, tactfully declined the British request.
But Governor Lytton was not one to admit defeat. He pressed the matter again and again, clearly determined not to let it rest unless they agreed.
Unable to withstand the British pestering, the Emir was forced to accept their request in September.
Once the British went, the Russians naturally could not stand by and watch their little brother get bullied. Soon afterward, the Tsarist Government also dispatched a delegation.
Franz had no idea what happened afterward. In any case, Britain and Russia began their struggle over Afghanistan.
Franz asked, "How do the Russians want us to support them?"
Austria and Afghanistan were separated by thousands of miles, with the Persian Empire lying between them.
The Vienna Government did not like reaching its hands everywhere. Naturally, Austria had no influence in a place that offered no benefits and was beyond its reach.
In Afghanistan, the only powers that truly had a say were Britain and Russia.
Under such circumstances, the Tsarist Government seeking Austria's support seemed wrong no