Chapter 468 Buying a Battleship

The ministers of the British cabinet, including Prime Minister Asquith, all looked at Churchill, wondering what he could do to quickly restore the strength of the Royal Navy. After all, it takes almost two years for a capital ship to start construction and enter service. Even if you work overtime, a year and a half is always indispensable. And the Germans obviously won't give them so much time.

Churchill naturally knew where everyone's doubts were, so he went on to explain. He knew that if his plan was to succeed, he had to obtain the approval of all members of the cabinet. Otherwise, his plan is absolutely impossible to succeed.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Your Excellency Ministers. There are only 7 battleships and 1 battlecruiser left in the Royal Navy. It is impossible and unrealistic to fight the Germans. However, we can use other methods, Strengthen the strength of the Royal Navy. For example, buy warships from other countries." Churchill said.

"Buy a warship? How is this possible?" All the ministers were stunned.

You must know that when it was the maritime hegemony in the past, other countries have always purchased warships from the United Kingdom, and the United Kingdom has never purchased warships like other countries. What's more, under the current situation, which other country can provide them with warships, and provide a large number of warships that can compete with the capital ships of the German Navy?

"Your Excellency Churchill, which country can we buy warships from?" Sir Edward Gray asked.

"The United States! Now only the United States has enough warships to sell to us." Churchill said.

"Americans? Although their shipbuilding industry is very developed, if they want to provide us with warships, the distant waters will not be able to quench our thirst!" Richard Haldane said.

Churchill nodded: "Indeed, if we place an order with the Americans now, it will be too late. Therefore, we'd better be able to buy their active warships. If we can buy all twelve of their active battleships Down, this will restore the Royal Navy to more than half its strength."

"How could they sell an American capital ship in active service to me? If they sell it to us, what about their own coastal defense?" Some cabinet ministers immediately raised questions.

"With the barrier of the Atlantic Ocean, the mainland of the United States is undoubtedly safe. What's more, according to the information we have received, after the outbreak of the war, the Americans have begun to build a series of new warships. Selling the old warships to us, or It is conducive to their return of funds and the construction of more new battleships. In this case, it is also of great benefit to the Americans. Now the United States is a neutral country, and they did not participate in the war. Therefore, even if the Germans are very happy about this Annoyed, there is nothing to do with the Americans. It is impossible for the Germans to cross the Atlantic to attack the United States. Let alone whether the Germans have such a great ability. At least this is very uneconomical. Even if the Germans finally won this game Victory in the war will inevitably lead to exhaustion. At that time, where will they have extra energy to deal with the Americans? It is very possible that the Americans will sell those warships to us without any worries." Churchill Said.

"Everyone, what's more, the Americans have always been ambitious. If we can continue the war with the Germans, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to them. Otherwise, once the Germans easily obtain With the victory of this war, the strength will inevitably expand to a situation that makes the Americans worry. At that time, it will be impossible for the Americans to dominate the Americas. Therefore, for their own interests, the Americans must also It will help us get through this time," Churchill said.

"Your Excellency, this is very possible. Before the war broke out, the Germans and the Americans were competing for South America, and the two countries were very unhappy about it. The Americans have always regarded South America as their own back garden, absolutely not Allow other countries to get involved. The Germans need more markets and sources of raw materials, which makes the two countries almost irreconcilable contradictions. For the sake of the future, the possibility of the Americans helping us is very high.” Colonial Secretary Lewis said Vernon Harcourt.

"In this case, then contact the Americans and let them sell those warships to us!" Prime Minister Asquith said. As long as there is a slight chance of defeating the Germans, they will not let it go easily.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister." A trace of excitement flashed in Churchill's eyes. He is not a person who is willing to admit defeat easily. Even in the current predicament, he is always thinking about defeating Germany and winning.

"Your Excellency, the Americans are not a good thing. Now that we ask them, they will definitely not miss this opportunity. I am worried that the Americans will put forward some conditions that we cannot accept at all. In addition, we Our finances don't allow us to spend so much money to buy warships." Lloyd George reminded.

A group of ministers nodded repeatedly, no doubt they also looked down on Americans. Even if the industrial output value of the United States becomes the first in the world, it is just regarded as an upstart by them. In addition, the United Kingdom has always been unwilling to make a country formed by the descendants of criminals surpass them, so it has been looking for trouble for the United States. If it weren't for the sudden emergence of Germany, the United Kingdom is still suppressing the United States.

No need to think about it, the US government will naturally not give up this good opportunity! After all, the United States is the only country in the world that can provide these warships to Britain. Therefore, there is almost no doubt that they will definitely slaughter Britain severely.

"As long as we can defeat the Germans, no matter how much we pay, it will be worth it. If we don't have enough funds, we can even transfer some unimportant colonies to the Americans in exchange for these warships." Churchill's attitude resolute.

"How can it be possible to transfer the colonies to the Americans? Those colonies are the foundation of the British Empire!" Colonial Secretary Lewis Vernon Harcourt immediately objected. He was in favor of buying American warships, but not in exchange for colonies.

"We are just exchanging unimportant colonies with the Americans. It is impossible to give the truly elite colonies to the Americans. What's more, if we don't try our best to win the war, if we lose, those colonies will also The same cannot be done," Churchill said.

Prime Minister Asquith hesitated for a while, but finally nodded: "The defeat of the Germans is the most important thing, and everything else can be temporarily abandoned!"