Chapter 627: Trade Disputes
Wiesgen Street in Munich had already gathered four to five hundred people, mostly workshop owners, craftsmen, and laborers, along with a few shopkeepers.
They held signs reading "French Goods Get Out" and "Raise Tariffs," along with straw effigies labeled "Cajetan Dietrich."
Dietrich was the Bavarian diplomat who had signed the Rhine-Seine Treaty.
Berland and his sons joined the crowd, shouting slogans protesting French goods with the others.
Before long, a trumpet blared from the front of the procession. Gabriel, a senior member of the Munich Chamber of Commerce, stood atop a carriage and waved his arm.
"Everyone, follow me to that damned department store!"
Though he claimed to be acting in a personal capacity, organizing such a large protest without the Chamber of Commerce's involvement would have been impossible.
The crowd erupted in shouts and followed Gabriel in a grand march toward the French Department Store.
Three black carriages passed by the protest, the middle one stopping momentarily. British Foreign Secretary Lord Grenville opened a window, curiously eyeing the slogans on the signs.
Berland, carrying the Dietrich effigy, walked past the carriage. Grenville waved at him.
"Sir, may I ask what you're protesting?"
After struggling to understand Grenville's Low German, Berland responded hoarsely:
"Our shops are being driven out of business, sir. Those damned officials, eager to curry favor with the French, set tariffs too low. Now everyone buys French goods. We can't let this continue."
Berland conveniently forgot that when the Rhine-Seine Treaty was first signed, workshop owners like him had celebrated the opportunity to access the vast French market.
After finishing his rant, he hurried to catch up with the rest of the crowd.
Grenville, recalling similar protests in Vienna not long ago, ordered his driver to follow the demonstrators.
Outside the French Department Store, Berland and the others set fire to the straw effigies of Dietrich, waved their signs, and shouted curses. Soon, they clashed with customers entering the store, and several fights broke out.
Half an hour later, police and soldiers arrived, whistling to disperse the protesters. The most disruptive individuals were arrested.
From his carriage, Grenville's assistant watched as the middle-aged man they had spoken to earlier was dragged off by two officers. He shook his head.
"These poor fools think a few hundred people can change the trade system."
Grenville, however, was intrigued by the chaos outside the department store. Stroking his walking stick, he said:
"Kevin, this is just one city.
"There are likely thousands of such protesters across Bavaria. And from what I've gathered, Austria, Württemberg, and Salzburg are experiencing similar discontent over low tariffs."
Kevin shrugged.
"Indeed, my lord. It will certainly keep local soldiers busy for a while."
Grenville closed the carriage window and smiled.
"Kevin, you're missing the point. Their anger stems from the same root cause—French goods taking over their markets."
"What do you mean, my lord?"
"If these people can be united, they could become a formidable force, all targeting France."
Grenville leaned back in his seat and instructed:
"Kevin, we'll postpone our trip to the Southern Netherlands. Arrange meetings with Pappenheim, Dietrich, and the president of the Munich Chamber of Commerce."
Pappenheim was Bavaria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Dietrich was its trade commissioner.
A Week Later
Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna
In a grand hall on the second floor, Austria's Minister of the Interior, Cobenzl, wore a grave expression as he listened to Grenville's unexpected visit.
"As you've just stated, our country's financial situation is indeed precarious. Last year alone, we incurred over 5 million florins in new debt."
He was downplaying Austria's debt crisis to his Prussian ally. In reality, the country had added nearly 10 million florins of debt last year, pushing its total to over 100 million florins.
Cobenzl continued:
"However, His Majesty the Emperor has approved the issuance of paper currency, which will greatly improve our finances. We hope your country will support Austrian paper money in trade."
"Paper currency is indeed an effective fiscal tool," Grenville replied with feigned enthusiasm. "But perhaps your Excellency should be more concerned about the trade imbalance. Without addressing it, deficits will only continue to mount."
"True, our trade revenues have somewhat declined," Cobenzl admitted.
"Somewhat?" Grenville corrected bluntly. He had obtained a rough estimate of Austria's trade data through various channels.
"Meanwhile, your trade expenditures continue to rise. If this trend persists, Austria's finances will soon face collapse."
Cobenzl perked up. "Are you suggesting a loan from your country?"
Austria's new Foreign Minister, Count Reichenfels, chimed in eagerly:
"Or perhaps a new trade agreement?"
Grenville shook his head.
"You misunderstand. I want to help your country resolve its trade imbalance.
"Surely you've noticed that the Rhine-Seine Treaty has severely worsened Austria's trade position.
"A flood of French goods is pouring into your markets, draining your gold reserves. Meanwhile, your products struggle to gain traction in France and are losing ground in southern Germany.
"This treaty is deeply unfair."
Cobenzl and Reichenfels exchanged glances but remained silent.
Grenville pressed on, his voice persuasive:
"Your country must renegotiate tariff terms with France to reverse this situation."
Cobenzl immediately shook his head.
"The friendship between Austria and France runs deep. We have no intention of pursuing such a course."
Pausing briefly, he added:
"Your suggestion would only provoke France, potentially leading to war."
Trade disputes were, after inheritance conflicts, the second most common cause of wars in this era.
"You needn't worry," Grenville reassured with a confident smile.
"Britain will fully support Austria's trade demands."
Before the Austrians could object, he continued:
"Before coming here, I visited Bavaria and Salzburg. They, too, believe the Rhine-Seine Treaty urgently needs revision.
"I can persuade Württemberg, Augsburg, and other signatories to join us in demanding renegotiations with France.
"With so many nations applying pressure, France will have no choice but to compromise."
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