Franz's decision signaled the end of the honeymoon period between the United Kingdom and Austria, and in the coming years, conflicts between the two nations were bound to increase.
The world is large, large enough to sustain billions of people; yet it is also small, too small to accommodate two hegemons.
If the whole world cannot accommodate them, how could the European Continent?
With Austria's resurgence, clashing with the British over interests was just a matter of time. Even without the Prusso-Russian war, they would have found themselves on opposing sides elsewhere.
If the Suez Canal had not been opened yet, Franz would still have been wary of the British. Now, the situation had changed, as the Austrian Navy could directly enter the Arabian Sea, with colonies along the way to rely on.
