As a responsible great power, Austria naturally had to provide security guarantees to Belgium and the North German Confederation.
On August 1, 1888, Franz issued the Proclamation to the People of Europe, clearly stating that Austria would dedicate itself to preserving the balance and stability of the European Continent and would resolutely fight the evil forces destroying the European order.
Whether the two governments dared to believe it was another matter. Still, the proclamation had a positive effect and won broad support in public opinion.
With Austria's promise, Belgium and the North German Confederation finally gained a sliver of confidence at the negotiating table.
Only a sliver, truly. If war broke out, the ones who would suffer the greatest losses would still be the two countries directly involved. No one knew who would ultimately win or lose between France and Austria, but caught between them, Belgium and the North German Confederation would be losers either way.
The two governments being rational did not mean the public would be rational as well. After receiving Austria's affirmative response, a massive anti-French movement erupted among the people of both countries.
In Brussels, marching demonstrators had already clogged the streets. Even deep within the palace, Leopold II could clearly hear the people's protests.
Without question, every last one demanded that the government take a hard line against France. Nationalism had risen, and the conditions proposed by the French had deeply wounded everyone's pride.
Prime Minister August said, "Your Majesty, we cannot retreat any further. The French have never abandoned their ambition to destroy us. This is only the beginning.
"Blind concessions will not only fail to solve the problem, but will also make the French think us weak and easy to bully, encouraging them to push their luck even further."
Clearly, Austria's explicit stance