Vienna, October 27th, 1814 · The Shattered Congress
The Austrian Observer
By Erwin von Aliceberg
Exclusive sources close to the ongoing negotiations in our fair city (who wish to remain anonymous) have told the Austrian Observer that Tsar Alexander I has been aggressive and unpredictable during negotiations. "He's not right in the head," said one palace insider. "He started off demanding that we carve up France like a Christmas turkey, then the next day was suggesting they be given Flanders and Wallonia. How are we supposed to negotiate with a man so fickle?"
The recent death of Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III may be exacerbating the situation. Apparently, the young Friedrich Wilhelm IV has been letting himself be led along by the Tsar's ravings. Is this the folly of youth, or some darker secret? Rumors circulate of a possibility of Prussia desiring to annex the Kingdom of Saxony, taking millions of Germans into their control by force.
With such weak and unstable leadership in our neighbors, the editors of the Austrian Observer can only express our gratitude that God has blessed Austria with our wise Kaiser and his loyal ministers.