This understanding was formally ratified during a visit to Saint Petersburg , on which he accompanied the emperor in April 1897 . He took the lead in establishing the European concert during the Armenian massacres of 1896 , and again resisted isolated action on the part of any of the great powers during the Cretan troubles and the Greco-Turkish War . In November 1897 , when the Austro-Hungarian flag was insulted at Mersina , he threatened to bombard the town if instant reparation were not made , and by his firm attitude greatly enhanced Austrian prestige in the East . In his speech to the delegations in 1898 he dwelt on the necessity of expanding Austria 's mercantile marine , and of raising the fleet to a strength which , while not vying with the fleets of the great naval powers , would ensure respect for the Austrian flag wherever her interests needed protection . He also hinted at the necessity for European combination to resist American competition
Armenian massacres of 1896
Hamidian massacres
Agenor Maria Gołuchowski