Paris, Versailles Palace.
It had been a long time since the Senate ministerial council had seen an argument as fierce as this one.
"The Austrian Parliament's demands accord with the Declaration of Human Rights, and its capacity for mobilization is extremely strong." Minister of Justice Cambacérès looked at Baron de Breteuil. "If we support them, the Habsburg Family will very likely lose its rule over Austria. Austria's new government will certainly adopt a foreign policy closer to our country, and our strongest rival in Central Europe will vanish with it."
Baron de Broglie immediately shook his head. "Have you not heard the news? Those people in Vienna today are madmen through and through—mobs and king-slayers!
"Every day, thousands are killed before Hofburg Square. Respectable people without the slightest crime to their names have their heads lopped off at will. No one knows what these lunatics will do next. Perhaps once they control Austria, they will immediately turn around and throw in their lot with the United Kingdom and Russia."
Tressaguet solemnly echoed him. "Many Viennese were sentenced to death merely for saying, 'Some nobles are innocent,' without even being given a trial."
Baron de Broglie continued, "I believe that even if we do not provide aid to the Habsburg Family, we must express our support diplomatically. We should never stand on the side of rebels!"
Bayei raised a hand. "But the Habsburg army will very likely be defeated.
"As far as I know, the Austrian Parliament has currently mobilized more than one hundred thousand soldiers. Last week, they occupied Sankt Pölten and Eisenstadt. Prince Esterházy fled, while his family was escorted to Vienna. They have probably been killed by now.
"Oh, and a parliamentary army is surrounding Pressburg. Given the Slovaks' desire to establish an autonomous government, they will likely