The Rise of the Empire

"If it is as you said, I think we need more allies. The long-term stalemate is not something that the Russians can withstand, nor can it be for France. We need allies to share the pressure." After King left, the representatives of Britain and France did not leave, but conducted an avoidance consultation.

For Churchill’s inference, the French are also very worried, because if the war continues in the future, it will definitely be carried out on the territories of France and Germany. Naturally, the French are not willing to make their homes messed up. The purpose of the war is to Gain benefits, not die with your opponents! Therefore, as soon as the Russians left, Messimi, the French Secretary of the Army, expressed his concerns to Churchill.

"This is a worldwide war, but there are not many countries that can play a role as a frontman. We originally planned to win over Italy, but now I think you know very well that Italy is too weak, and this time The unsuccessful success also makes the Italians feel timid. Even if we are willing to pay some price, we may not get the support of Italy. Until the war situation is clear, they will not choose to stand in line. When that time, how will Italy choose? It's not that important anymore," Churchill said.

  "Americans, I think they’re pretty good if they don’t help Germany. I don’t have any hope for the Yankees on the other side, so they forget it. And the remaining powers have already chosen to stand in line."

   "Actually, there is another country, and that is Japan! If Japan can participate in the war, I am afraid it will reduce our pressure." Messimi said.

"Haha, the Japanese? Except that they might work hard to seize the German territories in the Pacific after the war, they probably don’t seem to assume any responsibilities or obligations. After the Russo-Japanese War in the Far East ended, the Japanese would be like a dog. Like full hyenas, they are very lazy. Unless there is a pie in the sky, it is not realistic to want them to contribute." Churchill said.

"That's because the conditions are not attractive enough. Think about it. If we agree that the Japanese eat German islands in the Pacific, and to a certain extent tolerate Japan's actions against the Dutch East Indies, will the Japanese stand firm? Our side?"

"Of course, pure interests are not enough. We still need to intimidate the Japanese. Now Japan has a mortal enemy. If it weren't because the distance was too far away, maybe Japan would have been crushed a long time ago and want to fight. In this country, Japan can only rely on the power of its allies, which is us. If the Japanese want to keep their interests in the Far East, they should know how to choose." Messimi said.

"But what can we get? The Japanese will not send a large number of armies to Europe. Their naval forces in the Far East are not helpful to us. They may send an auxiliary fleet into the Mediterranean to perform mine clearance at our request. Or **** mission, then? What else can I do?" Churchill asked rhetorically.

"If only these conditions are required, we naturally cannot give them corresponding guarantees. If they are willing to send a main fleet. Judging from the current trend, the Japanese navy is developing very rapidly. Maybe it is nothing in the North Sea. , But in the Mediterranean, it is definitely a force that can change the situation of the battle. If one day we really plan to attack the Dardanelles, any dreadnought ship is very important!" Messimi said seriously.

  "I agree in principle, but the final result depends on the Japanese's choice. We have laid out the conditions and it depends on the Japanese's choice." Churchill said.

  Churchill is also calculating the gains and losses of this transaction. In fact, after the Russo-Japanese War, the Japanese fleet has replaced the British as the most powerful existence in the Far East. This is an indisputable fact. When Britain chose to respond to the German and Austrian threats and the world contracted, Japan became a force that Britain needed to rely on in the Far East. The Japanese also need Britain to pull the flag for tiger skin. The alliance between the two parties not only did not disappear because of Russia's retreat, but on the contrary became closer.

  To some extent, Britain is Japan’s most important ally against the United States. If this ally falls, then I am afraid that life for the Japanese will be very difficult. Therefore, the French suggestion is very good. As for the loss of Dutch interests, I am sorry, this is not something that Britain and France need to consider. As a big country, we must first consider our own interests. How can we manage the life and death of others? !

   "In addition, our investment to the Italians also needs to be recovered." Messimi said.

   "How to recover this? The Italians have no money, we can't call the door?" Churchill also said helplessly.

"We can ask them to use another method to repay the loan, such as building warships for the French Republic. The Austro-Hungarian Empire is preparing to expand their navy. Now France is preparing the army and the navy plan has been postponed. Please, the Minister of the Navy. I am looking for a way to expand the army that can circumvent the parliamentary budget. I thought about it and this way was OK." Messimi said.

  The money lent to Italians is actually a sunk cost, anyway, it is difficult for Italy to repay. If you want Italy to repay now, you must lend them again... However, doing so will only make France pay more. If Italy has half the usefulness of Russia, the French don't mind doing this, but in the eyes of the French, Italy does not even have a tenth of Russia's role!

  So I can only let Italy repay it with goods~www.wuxiaspot.com~ It implies that Italy has no resources, and there is nothing else worthy of the attention of the French, so the naval shipbuilding industry is not bad. In the end, the French thought of a way to let Italy help build ships, and use the warships built to pay off the original debts. In this way, the French government would get new warships without additional funding. Of course, debt depreciation is certain, but it can be recovered somewhat. Another role is to temporarily maintain relations with Italy. Although Italy is very useless, France is unwilling to allow Italy to return to the German side.

"The British Empire can share part of the burden, and Italy can also use warships or other military materials built to repay the loan." Naturally, the British Empire will not use warships built by Italy, but it is clear that this deficit cannot be entirely given to the French, otherwise. , It's too interesting.

  Finally, Britain and France meant to win over Japan as much as possible, while at the same time ensuring that Italy at least not invested in the arms of the Allied Powers. Time passed little by little as the two sides prepared for war, and gradually came to the middle of 1907.

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