Chapter 260: A Great Country Is a Bandit

As the world's largest industrial country, the United States has surpassed the United Kingdom in industrial output value as early as the end of the last century, becoming the world's number one. In addition, the United States also has a navy that is the third largest in the world. Therefore, this makes the United States the target of the Allies and Allies.

It's just that the war has just begun, the situation is still unclear, and the United States is unwilling to make a choice now. They want to wait for the price, or wait until the situation is clear before joining the war, so that they can get the maximum benefit at the minimum cost.

The unique geographical environment of the United States makes it the country of choice. The barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean makes it difficult for other countries to launch attacks on their homeland. As long as a strong navy is maintained, the security of the country can be ensured. As for the army, the surrounding countries are all war scum, so there is nothing to worry about.

Originally, the British looked down on Americans extremely, thinking that they were just nouveau riche. I am even more unwilling to let the influence of the United States expand to Europe, so I am unwilling to let the United States intervene in this war. However, they never thought that Germany would be so powerful, and they almost knocked them down at the beginning of the war. Under such circumstances, the British naturally forgot their previous worries and tried their best to draw the Americans into their camp. This has become an important way for Britain to quickly defeat Germany and win the war.

Of course, Americans are not fools, and naturally they will not easily let Britain do what they want. Therefore, British talents need to adopt various means to make the United States join their camp.

"Your Excellency, the Admiralty has proposed a method of increasing our strength, which requires your approval," Churchill said at the end of the conversation.

In order to strengthen the strength of the British navy as soon as possible, Churchill's hair was almost graying.

"Oh? What way?" Prime Minister Asquith asked. He has approved the Navy's large-scale shipbuilding plan. But those warships will take at least a year and a half to complete the construction, so they still have to wait for a long time.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we still have three battleships built for other countries, which have not yet been delivered to other countries. However, they have been completed. If these three battleships can be included in the Royal Navy, this can instantly improve the Royal Navy. strength," Churchill said.

"You mean the battleships built for the Turks and Chile?" Prime Minister Asquith frowned.

The strength of the Royal Navy has always been the best in the world. And Britain's shipbuilding capacity is also the strongest in the world. This makes other countries that do not have the ability to build battleships, when they want to have battleships, they often purchase them from the United Kingdom. And Britain is also happy to help them build. After all, the arms business is very profitable. Battleships, in particular, are even more lucrative.

"But they have already paid for it. If we requisition these battleships now, it may have a very adverse effect on the reputation of the British Empire." Sir Edward Gray, the Foreign Secretary, frowned.

"Sir Gray, I can't control that much now. The Royal Navy has suffered heavy losses and urgently needs battleships to replenish its strength. Requisitioning those three battleships is the best way." Churchill said.

Although, the three battleships are all foreign trade battleships, and their performance is not very strong. But now the Royal Navy is no longer qualified to pick and choose.

Prime Minister Asquith frowned, seeming to be thinking about the pros and cons, and it took a few minutes before he made a decision.

"Well, note to the Ottoman Turkish Empire and Chile that the battleships built for them were temporarily requisitioned by the Royal Navy. After the war is over, we will compensate them." Prime Minister Asquith made a decision.

Although doing so would damage the credibility of the British Empire, for the current British Empire, finding a way to win the war is the most important thing. As for the others, they can be put aside for the time being.

"Yes, Your Excellency." Sir Edward Gray nodded.

"Your Excellency, the Germans have been wooing the Ottoman Empire. Now that we are doing this, will the Ottoman Empire be pushed into the German camp?" Sir Edward Gray asked.

"The Ottoman Turkish Empire should not join the Allies. After all, their geographical location is very important. They should know that once they join the Allies, they will inevitably encounter our attack. At that time, they will not be able to resist it. live," said Prime Minister Asquith.

The current Ottoman Turkish Empire is not the powerful empire that swept across Europe at the beginning. It has long since declined and become the sick man of West Asia. If it weren't for the mutual restraint among the major European powers, I am afraid that troops would have been dispatched to destroy the Ottoman Turkish Empire long ago. Therefore, Prime Minister Asquith and others did not put the Ottoman Turkish Empire in their eyes at all, thinking that they would not dare to confront the British Empire at all. Even if the British Empire robbed their battleships, they could only swallow their anger.

Churchill left the Prime Minister's Office excitedly. He wanted to rush back to the Admiralty and send people to the shipyard to receive the three battleships immediately.

The three battleships are the "Sultan Osman I" and the "Ressadih" built by the United Kingdom for the Ottoman Turkish Empire, and the "Admiral La Torre" built for Chile.

Among them, the two battleships of the Ottoman Turkish Empire were originally built for Brazil. However, the Brazilians had no money to pay, so it was transferred to the Ottoman Turks. But I didn't expect that the Ottoman Turkish Empire had paid the money, but hadn't got the warship, so it was requisitioned by the British. This also became an important reason for the Ottoman Turkish Empire to join the Allies in the future.

The British Navy named the three battleships 'Agincourt', 'Ireland' and 'Canada' respectively.

The "Agincourt" has a displacement of 30,000 tons, a maximum speed of 22 knots, and is equipped with seven twin 305mm main guns. It can be called the battleship with the most main guns in the world.

The 'Ireland' has a displacement of 25,000 tons, a maximum speed of 21 knots, and is equipped with five twin 305mm main guns.

The 'Canada' has a displacement of 32,000 tons, a maximum speed of 22.75 knots, and is equipped with five twin 356mm main guns.

These three battleships have powerful firepower, but they all have a strong style of British battleships, that is, they attach importance to firepower and speed, and despise defense. In the previous battles, it has been proved that it will not work at all.