Chapter 850: Limited War Responsibility
With Europe's two great camps standing opposed, the most worried were not the four countries directly involved. Whether Russia and Austria or Britain and France, each had its own advantages—enough to protect itself.
The truly unfortunate ones were the small countries caught between the two alliances. For now, the contradictions between the two camps had not yet intensified, so everyone could still barely cope.
Once the conflict between them escalated, everyone would be forced to choose a side. In fact, geopolitics had already determined each country's alignment; they simply had no room to choose for themselves.
The countries of Western Europe could only support Britain and France, while those in Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, and Southern Europe had to support Russia and Austria. The countries of Central Europe had it worst—they had no idea which side to choose.
Neutrality?
That was not a problem for the moment. But once the two great alliances came to blows, they would be the first sacrifices.
No matter which side they leaned toward, they would be savagely beaten by the other. Belgium, especially, was in a miserable position; its dreadful strategic location meant it could not keep itself aloof.
Of course, that was the worst-case outcome. In the short term, there were still no signs that war would break out between the two alliances.
Leopold II, ever keenly aware of lurking danger, could no longer sit still. Britain and Austria had originally both been Belgium's prospective allies, and together they had resisted French expansion into Central Europe.
Now the situation had changed fundamentally. Britain and France had formed an alliance—so was Britain's former promise to protect Belgian security still valid?
Foreign Minister Jules said gravely, "Your Majesty, the Austrian Foreign Ministry has sent a diplomatic note inviting us, Switzerland,