A war is nothing to fear. We are largely recovered from the civil war, and perhaps our population is still restrained on seeking a war (the cowards), but this is clear cut French intransience. Will the French working class happily march to war over an executed spy? Will Britain want to fight a war on the continent because France wanted to start it? Will the Dutch want to stand alone on our border over a matter of French designs? The Entente will be incredibly reluctant, at best, to jump in after France in this.
And do Austria and Russia hate us? Yes. Would they see this as an opportunity to intervene? Quite possibly. But will their masses be happy to be forced to die over some French matter? Almost certainly not. The Imperial League also spent much treasure and manpower propping up the monarchists in our civil war. They are likely not fully ready for war either, and could face internal consequences for starting a war.
And even if they all come against us, all the crowns of Europe out to strangle the Second Republic, then firstly I think we can still win. We have the most extensive and thorough conscription system in Europe, and will have the national support from it being a defensive war. Our enemies will constantly have to fear internal revolution and resistance, as well as the force of arms of the Landwehr.
And second if all of Europe is willing to throw down with us because we execute a French spy, then what possible way could we not end up at war with them all that isn't submission? We are ringed by hostile powers, and if they really are so committed to our destruction, then we only avoid such a war by bowing before one power or another, saying they have the right to do what they want to us, that we are at their mercy.
That is what releasing this spy says. That France can do whatever they like to us and we have to kiss the boot that kicks us out of "pragmatism". Is that what the Red-Gold coalition fought and died for in the Civil War? Is that what we are rebuilding Germany for? I say no.
France is challenging us, seeing if we choose submission or independence. I say let them. We will show them our mettle, but only if we do not blink.
Execute the spy, let the forces of reaction know we do not fear them anymore.
