Page - 495 - in THE FIRST WORLD WAR - and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy, 1914 – 1918

The Vision of Peace with Victory 495 ative factors : Albania, Montenegro and those territories of Serbia that had only been separated from the Ottoman Empire in 1912 and 1913 experienced, in spite of the occupation, a boost in innovation and were acquainted a little with Central European conditions. The expansion of the education system, the establishment of postal services, the construction of roads and paths, which were naturally also linked to the occupation, were just such positive indications. In Cetinje, the old capital city of Montenegro, the monument that is most carefully treasured today as a first-rate cultural landmark was established alongside the singular construction of the Biljarda of King Nikola Petrovič Njegoš : the first and only relief in Montenegro. Austrian occupation soldiers under the guidance of an officer trained in geography crafted it on a scale of 1 :10,000. Other things, above all,the relentless fight against real and imagined spies and also, the struggle against the underground, which was gradually gathering together, led to repressive measures that revealed the ugly side of the occupiers. For the political and military leadership of Austria-Hungary, the success in the west- ern Balkans was satisfying. It ultimately affected the delicate mood of the Chief of the Austrian General Staff so deeply that he took the step that had been expected from him for weeks : on 22 January 1916, Conrad sent a conciliatory letter to Falkenhayn. Subse- quently, on the occasion of Kaiser Wilhelm’s birthday celebrations on 26 January 1916, a meeting took place not only between the German Kaiser and Archdukes Karl and Friedrich, but also between the general staff chiefs in Pszczyna. However, it was limited to very general discussions. Falkenhayn and Conrad only gave mutual confirmations that they had not been able to reach a closer understanding in respect of their views on the next strategic objectives. Both Kaiser Wilhelm and Falkenhayn argued that King Nikola should be left on the Montenegrin throne. Conrad presented counterarguments. In the Balkans, he claimed, a reorganisation had to take place, since this was where the war had started and where Russia had had its allies.1181 In the case of Russia, the hopes of a separate peace had foundered and this raised the question as to how the war would develop on this front. Where were the limits of a thrust towards the east, if such a thing had to be attempted ? Where should the line be drawn that Napoleon had also failed to reach ? There were certainly controversial viewpoints in this respect and not only within the German Supreme Army Command but also in the Imperial and Royal Army Command. No-one, however, could give a more exact insight beyond mere personal preferences. Then the Chiefs of the General Staffs discussed Italy. Falkenhayn said he was still against an offensive, but wanted to discuss it once more in detail. Everyone eventually agreed that somewhere the opportunity must offer itself to pry another opponent out of the united front of the Entente powers. Falkenhayn was thinking of France, but Conrad continued to have only ‘perfidious’ Italy in mind.