The news of the German army's arrival at the German-Austrian border quickly reached the Entente, but they did not react strongly. At this time, civil unrest had broken out in Bavaria, and the German army's large deployment there made their presence appear aimed at quelling internal strife. Observing the troop movements, the Entente noted that only about 2,000 German soldiers were stationed along the German-Austrian border—far too few to seize control of all of Austria.
Moreover, the German forces behaved transparently. Allied troops stationed in border regions for observation detected no attempts by Germany to cross into Austria. Envoys and representatives were sent, signaling peaceful intentions, which allowed the Entente to breathe a sigh of relief.
Their main concern was no longer Germany, but Russia in Eastern Europe. Russia had recently invaded the Crimean Peninsula, quickly defeating Denikin's forces. Denikin fled to Romania, pleading for Entente assistance while gathering his remaining troops.
From a strategic perspective, the Entente considered it best to let Russia and the remnants of the White Army resolve their conflicts. Following the devastation of World War I, the Entente possessed many battle-hardened veterans, far more capable than the struggling White Army. It made more sense to deploy experienced troops directly rather than rely on unreliable local forces.
A secret meeting was convened in Portsmouth, after which the Entente launched a multi-pronged military campaign against Russia. Their forces were divided into three major fronts:
1. The Black Sea Campaign: The Mediterranean Fleet, primarily the Royal Navy of the British Empire, advanced into the Black Sea to threaten Russia's interior and retake Crimea. The Crimea had long been strategically vital, and the British were determined to secure it as a stronghold in the Black Sea.
2. Eastern Europe Coalition: Britain and France formed a coalition to support the Czech and Polish armies, launching a direct offensive against Russian forces in Eastern Europe. The Polish army, numbering over 700,000, became the primary force in this effort. Britain and France, wary of another prolonged conflict after World War I, focused on supplying weapons, training troops, and acting as indirect participants through local allies.
3. Far East Front: The Entente also sought to strike at Russia's eastern territories. After consultations, a multinational coalition including forces from Japan, China, and the United States planned to advance from Vladivostok and other eastern ports, aiming to dismantle Russian control in the Far East.
These large-scale interventions were unprecedented. While similar conflicts had occurred historically, the direct involvement of British and Allied troops in Crimea had not. This escalation was in large part due to Mainz's prior influence.
During his time in the United States, Mainz had launched a covert campaign to highlight the threat posed by Russia. He warned that a stabilized Russian state could challenge capitalist powers worldwide, as seen in previous revolutions. The 1917 upheaval had already forced capitalists to make concessions to workers, raising wages and reducing profits. A successful Russia could embolden workers globally, threatening elite interests everywhere.
Mainz leveraged the support of the Goldman Sachs consortium to amplify his warnings. Writers and media outlets were discreetly persuaded to portray Russia as an existential threat. Over months, this narrative spread across the United States, mobilizing public opinion. Major capitalists pressured their governments to act, and President Wilson eagerly seized the opportunity to assert American influence. Financial support flowed from private capital, and troops were recruited to join the Allied expedition.
By August 1919, the Entente had assembled a multinational force of over 200,000 troops. They landed at Vladivostok, officially initiating a massive military intervention against Russia. The stage was set for full-scale conflict, and Europe's postwar balance of power faced a new, turbulent chapter.