Chapter 1567: The United Republic of Greater Austria

April 15, 1934, Austria.

As war broke out across the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the area surrounding Austria fell into turmoil, the Austrian people completely lost their patience with the Habsburg royal family.

However, during this period, Austria's political forces and parties were deeply troubled by a single issue that had previously kept Austria calm: whether and how to maintain the territorial integrity of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after the overthrow of the Habsburg monarchy.

In the previous life, this issue would naturally not be discussed, because during this period of time in the previous life, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had long been forcibly dissolved and Austria had become an independent country, but now Austria is still the nominal ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Therefore, the various forces in Austria had to consider whether to continue to maintain the integrity of the empire's territory and establish "Greater Austria", or whether Austria and other regions should separate and become independent.

This problem also troubled the Austrian Labor Party, and two forces emerged within it. One side believed that even if the Habsburg royal family was to be overthrown and a democratic government established, the integrity of the empire must be guaranteed, otherwise they would be sinners and traitors to Austria.

The other side believes that class is greater than the country. At the same time, Austria has actually oppressed other ethnic regions in the past. As a party with advanced ideas, the Austrian Labor Party should not maintain the existence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, an exploitation machine, like the Habsburg royal family.

The final conclusion on this issue will be made at today's Austrian Labor Party meeting.

After experiencing long-term suppression, the Austrian Labor Party has accumulated enough strength to prepare to launch a coup in Austria, but if this problem is not resolved, the differences within the party cannot be resolved. Without a unified consensus, it is naturally impossible to launch a coup.

Horner, the military chief of the Austrian Labor Party, said at the meeting: "Since 1804, Austria has included Hungary, the Czech Republic and other regions, forming the Greater Austrian state with Vienna as its core. Therefore, I believe that even if we want to overthrow the Habsburg rule, we Labor Party members should not split the empire."

"This is not in Austria's interests. In fact, this is also an important reason why the Austrian people have not supported us for a long time. Austria can coexist with Hungary, the Czech Republic and other regions. We can form a coalition government instead of becoming independent small countries and dispersing our power."

Obviously, Horner is a member of the Great Austrian faction within the Labour Party. As soon as he expressed his opinion, he was criticized and counterattacked by the independent faction.

Friedrich, a representative of the independent faction, said: "Comrade Horner, you have a narrow nationalist mindset, which is no different from that of the extreme democratic parties."

"Austria's fundamental problem lies in the feudal rule of the Habsburg monarchy and the oppression and exploitation of the people by capitalism."

"And on this basis, Austria, as one of the core elements of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, actively engaged in oppression and exploitation of other nations and regions. If we continue to maintain the existence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, we will become the new oppressor."

Horner clearly did not accept Friedrich's criticism. He retorted, "Comrade Friedrich, you are completely mistaking the concept."

"During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria did oppress other ethnic groups and regions, but this was the fault of the Habsburg royal family. We in the Labour Party cannot take the blame for it."

"Also, as I said before, the new government is a coalition government. Within this framework, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and other places can fully join the new government as member states. Everyone is equal in status, which solves the problem you mentioned."

"The Soviet Union also has this kind of organizational form. We in Austria can completely refer to the Soviet Union and form a new country with Hungary, the Czech Republic and others."

When Horner said this, he gained the support of many people, because the Soviet Union was a real case. It was a national alliance composed of multiple member states, but there was no problem with the Soviet Union now.

Since the Soviet Union could maintain national unity and coordinate the interests of various ethnic groups and regions in this way, why couldn't the Austrian Labor Party do the same?

Apparently, being part of a Greater Austrian government is far more attractive to some within the Austrian Labor Party than being part of an independent Austrian government.

Horner went on to say, "The situation in Europe also requires that other ethnic groups and regions within the Austro-Hungarian Empire should join us in solidarity, even though the European Labour movement is in full swing."

"But we cannot deny the strength of European capitalism and imperialism. At least at this stage, it is difficult for Austria alone to confront countries like Germany and Italy."

"So, if only Austria becomes independent, then the new regime we establish will find it difficult to stabilize and may even be strangled by the imperialist bloc."

"Just like the previous Hungarian coup, the Hungarian Labor Party was too weak to maintain its victory even after establishing a government and an army."

"Therefore, Austria must unite with other regions and form a new Greater Austrian democratic government in order to survive this dire situation."

"Otherwise, as soon as we achieve Austria's independence and establish a new government, the German and Italian armies may enter Austria and interfere with and suppress us."

Friedrich remained skeptical of Horner's argument. He said, "Comrade Horner, this is just your personal speculation. After all, after Austria's independence, we are not fighting alone. We can also unite with comrades in Czechoslovakia, Hungary and other regions to deal with the enemy, and we have the help of Soviet comrades behind us."

Horner said disdainfully, "Comrade Friedrich, as you said before, we should abandon the dangerous idea of nationalism. In this case, the Czech and Hungarian Labor Parties are also our comrades, so we shouldn't make such a clear distinction."

"In this case, it is natural that our Czech and Hungarian comrades should also join Greater Austria, put aside their nationalist prejudices, and follow our lead as the Soviet Union did, forming the Austro-Hungarian Empire into a new state."

"Therefore, it is completely unnecessary for Austria and other regions to become independent and jointly fight against the imperialist bloc. We should unite now with our comrades in Hungary and other regions to form a Greater Austrian coalition government and concentrate our forces to fight the enemy."

Horner's rebuttal immediately left the independence faction speechless. They had previously attacked Horner, saying that he was a nationalist. Now, Horner's argument just took advantage of this point. Since nationalism is not allowed, the Hungarian and Czech Labor Party should not be so clearly divided and draw a line between themselves and Austria.

Otherwise, the country they built after independence would also become a nationalist country.

Horner went on to emphasize that "the world Labour movement is one and our ultimate goal is to establish a world Labour regime."

"We shouldn't be so divided. It's obvious that a Greater Austria will be more conducive to the establishment of a world labor party regime in the future. If we can't even establish a Greater Austria, how can we even imagine establishing a world labor party regime where everyone is equal in status and identity, regardless of nationality or ethnicity?"

“Therefore, whether it is a practical need or a long-term consideration, Greater Austria should be built and become an important component of the world labor movement and also a transitional stage.”

Of course, Horner's Greater Austria here mainly refers to the union of various countries and regions under the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, rather than the real Austria. The so-called "Greater Austria" faction of the Austrian Labor Party more often uses the word "Palemont", which means parliament, which is similar to the "Soviet" of the Soviet Union.

The name of the "coalition government" subsequently formed by the Austrian Labor Party was the "Palmont Republic" in German. Since it was a coalition government, it naturally included representatives of the labor parties of Hungary, the Czech Republic and other countries.

Of course, whether local labor parties in Hungary and the Czech Republic accept the ideas of the Austrian Labor Party is another matter.

The proposal of a coalition government will be more conducive to the Austrian Labor Party winning the support of the Austrian people. After all, many Austrian people do not want to see the division of the empire.

Horner's proposal was also recognized by most of the Austrian Labor Party, including the current leader of the Austrian Labor Party, Koplenich.

Koplenich said: "Since everyone has differences, we will use the vote to determine the next path of our party, whether to take the united path or the independent path."

The Austrian Labor Party then held a vote, and ultimately the coalition line was accepted by the majority of its members.

After Koplenig announced this result, the Austrian Labor Party's route was determined. After overthrowing the Habsburg royal rule, the Austrian Labor Party, or the "Greater Austrian United Labor Party", will include other regional labor parties to form a new government to maintain the overall unity and territorial integrity of the empire. This is actually a replica of the Soviet Union.

After reaching a consensus, the Austrian Labor Party no longer hesitated and was about to launch a subversive movement against the Habsburg royal family.

May 4, 1934.

The Austrian Labor Party officially launched a rebellion in Vienna and other places, completely breaking the peace in Austria. At this time, except for a few areas such as Hungary and Dalmatia, the turmoil in other parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire further intensified.

At this time, Vienna was short of troops because the Habsburgs were suppressing the nationwide rebellion, and the Austrian Labor Party had been planning for a long time, so the progress was very smooth.

As of May 6, most of Vienna's urban area had been occupied by the Austrian Labor Party. At the same time, other forces in Vienna, the royalists, continued to confront the Labor Party with Schönbrunn Palace as their center.

…

Schönbrunn Palace.

Although this is the center of power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Schönbrunn Palace is not in the center of Vienna, but in the southwest of the city. Before the 19th century, Schönbrunn Palace was not even within the city limits. After the 19th century, with the expansion of Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace was expanded into the city limits.

It was for this reason that after the Labor Party rebellion, Schönbrunn Palace was not affected immediately, and the imperial government was able to occupy the southwest of the city and fight against the Labor Party.

At this time, at the airport next to Schönbrunn Palace, Emperor Rudolf was seeing off the royal family.

Why is there a temporary airport in Schönbrunn Palace? This was a suggestion given by the East African side. Ernst was afraid that the Habsburg royal family would be wiped out, so he suggested that Emperor Rudolf set aside an area in Schönbrunn Palace to make space for East African transport planes.

Rudolf listened to this advice. After all, he had to consider the safety of his family and royal family members. So, in April, one of East Africa's most advanced Airbus-20 transport aircraft was parked on the temporary runway next to Schönbrunn Palace Square.

This aircraft, capable of accommodating thirty people, was designed to safely evacuate members of the Habsburg royal family after trouble broke out in Vienna.

At this time, Emperor Rudolf stood beside the airport and said to Crown Prince Karl, "This day has come sooner than I expected. Karl, from now on, the responsibility of the Habsburg family will be yours."

Crown Prince Karl tried to persuade him, "Father, you'd better evacuate with us! The rebels could capture this place at any time. Staying in Vienna will only lead to death!"

Emperor Rudolf shook his head and said, "I may leave Vienna, but I will never leave the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If Vienna cannot be defended, I will have no choice but to go to Hungary."

Having said that, if the Labor Party really takes over the whole of Vienna, Rudolf's fate will be hard to say. Of course, even if there is only a glimmer of hope, Rudolf must hold on until the last moment.

Now, Hungary is relatively stable and is also the region with the most stable foundation of Habsburg rule. Therefore, if Vienna falls, Rudolf will try to flee to Hungary, form a government and continue to fight.

Crown Prince Karl was not optimistic about Hungary. He said, "Father, even if you don't leave with us, Hungary may not be the best choice. Dalmatia is safer than Hungary. We can evacuate it later."

Emperor Rudolf shook his head and said, "If Dalmatia is chosen, it would mean that the Habsburgs would completely abandon everything in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Within the empire, only Vienna and Budapest can play the role of governing the entire country."

The Austro-Hungarian Empire itself was a "dual-core" country. Even if Vienna fell, the empire could still continue to operate as long as Emperor Rudolf fled to Budapest.

Dalmatia obviously does not have such a role, but as Crown Prince Karl said, Dalmatia is safer, where the people's support for the Habsburgs is the highest, and the East African Navy is stationed in the southern port of Dubrovnik, making it convenient to escape.

However, Emperor Rudolf did not intend to go into exile abroad. He was prepared to live and die with the empire.

He said, "My mind is made up. When you arrive in East Africa, remember my teachings. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire ceases to exist, do not think of returning to restore it. Times have changed. Staying here is only dangerous. The moment the crown falls to the ground, it will be impossible for Austria to regain its monarchy."

"At the same time, Europe is becoming increasingly dangerous. Even if we don't lose power, we will inevitably be dragged into a European war in the future..."

After delivering his final words, Emperor Rudolf said goodbye to Crown Prince Karl, the Queen and other members of the royal family. The East African transport plane slowly took off and, amid the sound of gunfire in Vienna, carried the core members of the Habsburg royal family away from this ancient city.

On May 14, the Austrian Workers' Party army broke into the outskirts of Schönbrunn Palace, and Emperor Rudolf and government officials flew to Budapest on military aircraft.

On the same day, the Greater Austrian coalition government was announced, and the Austrian Labor Party also announced that it would be renamed the "Greater Austria United Labor Party" and demanded that the labor parties in the Czech Republic, Hungary and other regions accept their leadership and form the "Greater Austria United Republic", also known as the "Palmont Republic".

(End of this chapter)