Austria-Hungary also generously accepted these surrendering soldiers and provided them with relatively abundant meals three times a day.
This was one of the ways Austria-Hungary sought to win hearts and minds. Serbia, akin to a nail, severely hindered Austria-Hungary's steps toward expansion in the Balkan Peninsula.
This meant that if Austria-Hungary wished to expand southward, it must resolve the biggest trouble posed by Serbia.
Attributing all the responsibility and impact of this war to the Serbian Cabinet Government, thereby shedding Austria-Hungary of the crimes it committed against the Serbians during this war, was considered a rather good way.
Although a portion of Serbians would resent Austria-Hungary, at least there was the Serbian government to share the blame.
Moreover, letting the Serbian government take the blame served other purposes. The war broke out because of the pro-Russian Serbian government's intense hostility toward Austria-Hungary.
