Australian Storm 1876

   Chapter 948 One Hammer

Over the years, with the expansion of the empire's territory and the rapid economic development, the total economic volume has quadrupled compared to 1900. In 1909, the total economic volume has exceeded the 10 billion dollar mark, officially surpassing the United Kingdom and second only to Germany. , the United States ranks third in the world.

   should see

The total economic volume of the United States before the war was extremely large. Both the total amount of steel and the economic scale were more than the sum of the second-ranked Germany and the third-ranked Ocean Empire. The industrialization index reached 126, far exceeding the total. all world contries.

   After the brutal war, the dismemberment of the country, and the huge blow to industrial and agricultural production, the US economy has shrunk by more than half in a short period of time, which has given Germany the opportunity to stand on the number one position in the world and have a good time. But that was only two years in 1909 and 1910.

  After the war

  The U.S. economy has recovered rapidly, transatlantic trade has shown a straight upward curve, and the U.S., which has emerged from the trauma of the war, is recovering at an alarming speed.

   If nothing else, in the economic statistics of 1911, the United States will once again surpass Germany to stand on the throne of the world's first.

In the Wool War, the Northern Commonwealth, the Republic of California, the Republic of Texas, and the Republic of Virginia, which were independent successively, had a total of 10 states, accounting for about 24.7% of the original territory. That is to say, the American Federation lost 1 in the war. /4 of the territory, lost 1/3 of the national economic output, and the population dropped sharply from 89 million to more than 54 million.

Objectively speaking

  The war caused unimaginable huge damage to the United States, especially after the looting of the heavy industry-intensive areas of the Great Lakes, the steel, chemical, shipbuilding, machine tool and equipment manufacturing industries were slashed in the middle, and it was difficult to recover in a short time.

   But the U.S. still has a heavy industrial base, and the industrial-intensive cities, mainly in the north of the east coast and the Great Lakes region, still have the strength to recover quickly in the post-war peaceful environment, which is much faster than the agricultural economy.

After the war, the United States reorganized the Federal Army and reorganized it into the U.S. Army. It adopted the method of "bringing in and going out", hiring many military instructors from Europe, and sending a large number of overseas students to study in countries such as Britain, Germany, France, and Oceania. Vigorously improve the level of military command.

  Because the war treaty strictly limited the size of the U.S. Army, the U.S. strengthened its militia organization after the war. The number of militiamen participating in regular training was as high as 1.2 million. It was the local militia organization that had friction with the Japanese army in the New Mexico area.

   For this kind of sideball behavior, the allies have no way to solve it.

   Therefore, it is a necessary choice for the Empire to maintain a considerable degree of military deterrence in the Northern Federation. .

   In the short term;

   As long as the United States does not develop a navy, it will not touch the sensitive nerves of the empire to suppress it. A U.S. country that has lost its coastal defense capabilities is useless even with 10 million troops, and will only be trapped in the North American continent.

  “…

   From the perspective of protecting the national defense of the Northern Commonwealth, consolidating the frontline fortress of Salt Lake City, and maintaining the border security of friendly nations, within 5 to 10 years, the Empire’s troops stationed in North America should not be less than 260,000, which is the minimum requirement. " Marshal Li Shuanzhu talked nonstop for more than an hour. After taking a sip from the teacup, he continued;

"Among them, the Republic of Virginia is about 60,000, and the Northern Federation is about 200,000. At least 2-3 armored divisions, two heavy artillery divisions, 6-7 quick-reaction infantry divisions, and 4-5 garrison divisions should be guaranteed. in order to effectively safeguard the interests of the empire.

Besides

The vast territory of the empire should retain 50,000 to 60,000 fast-moving troops, no less than 150,000 garrison troops, plus the Royal Guard, the total size of the troops should be no less than 300,000, plus the army aviation force. And the tank experimental unit, the strength should be between 590,000 and 600,000.

   Looking at the development of the army in various countries

Since the Second Anglo-Boers War, the United Kingdom has deeply realized the limitations brought by the long-term small size of the army. Therefore, the size of the standing force has increased from about 280,000 to 530,000 to 540,000, which does not include the Royal Navy. It belongs to an overseas corps force.

   In order to meet the land military challenges of Germany, France has maintained a standing army between 900,000 and 930,000. It is well-equipped and has a high level of training. It is an important land army in Europe.

   After the disastrous defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, Tsarist Russia paid more attention to the construction of the army. The scale of its army has grown from 1.1 million to today's 1.35 million to 1.4 million, ranking first in the world in terms of army size alone.

   The same is true for Germany, which maintains a standing army of 890,000 people, but we should see that Germany has 2.6 million high-quality reserve troops, which can be quickly put into the battlefield after simple mobilization during wartime.

   Therefore, this plan prepared by the Ministry of War took into account the factors of the Royal Navy, and carried out self-limitation to the greatest extent, keeping the total size of the troops within 600,000, which is a compromise arrangement made comprehensively considering the conditions of all parties.

   Your Majesty, the world is in turmoil today, and this minister does not take the liberty to play it;

With the strong economic strength of our empire today, there is absolutely no need to tie hands and feet. The average infantry division cannot afford much budget. The financial budget of 10 million Jinyang can maintain 10 A-level infantry divisions. , but it is of great significance to national defense construction.

   Therefore, the minister calls on the Holy Master to expand the Royal Guard at the appropriate time. "

   finished talking

  The study fell into silence again. Li Fushou thought about it carefully and asked, "How many well-trained reservists are there today?"

   "Reporting to Your Majesty, during the war in the past few years, the military has strengthened the training of reservists, and the number of militia reservists trained is about 2 million to 2.2 million."

   "What about the discharge?"

   "Uh... If the discharge work is completed next year, there should be no less than 3 million."

"So, there are quite a few figures. You can see if this works. Next, we will continue to pay close attention to the training of reserve forces. At the grassroots level and in pastoral areas where conditions permit, factories and mines will establish standing militia teams. First, we will protect factories and mines. Second, it will also deepen the depth of national defense." Li Fushou's slender fingers tapped the desk lightly, and said while thinking;

"in this aspect

   In addition to the standing appropriation of the state finance, you and the Ministry of War will come up with another plan. When the time comes, I will personally approve it, and let the Ministry of Internal Affairs also pay some money to arrest this work.

The    requirement is; well-trained reservists must reach the scale of 4 million people, including reservist artillery and armor.

   Driving an armored vehicle is similar to driving a tractor, so combined with the characteristics of this aspect, the training of reserve armored troops is mainly maintained in the farming and pastoral areas.

   As for the expansion of the Royal Praetorian Guard, you will draw up another statute.

   Now that our booth is big, it is indeed necessary to expand the scale of the standing force. I can see the reorganization plan of the Ministry of War, and that's it. "

   Li Fushou made the final decision, and Marshal Li Shuanzhu, who was sitting on the side, finally let out a long sigh of relief, and a rare smile appeared on his face.

   (end of this chapter)