January 1915-September 1915

Abstract

For most of 1915, adverse military developments dictated the approaches taken by the MdÄ and its new chief, Baron István Burián. Although not the first or obvious choice for the Foreign Ministry, Burián immediately took control of the MdÄ with a ‘ready program’¹ and implemented his vision of future Balkan expansion, sidelining past influential figures like Section Chief Count Johann Forgách and the Balkanist Dr. Alexander von Musulin. Being himself a Balkanist, Burián had been for almost a decade the Common Finance Minister responsible for the administration of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had a special administrative status and was not incorporated directly into either side of the Dual Monarchy. As he had never served in the larger European embassies, his experience and approach were enmeshed with Austria-Hungary’s Balkan foreign policy, and his appointment demonstrates the Emperor’s emphasis on that region. Forgách himself pointed this out to Tisza in a secret letter complaining about Burián’s leadership, calling the new Foreign Minister a ‘doctrinaire’ diplomat who ‘has always been in the Balkans and conducted a Balkan policy. ‘² Certainly, Burián had strong Balkan credentials and a clear vision to protect Austro-Hungarian prestige, integrity, and power, and was determined enough to uphold them.