Chapter 929 Land Transactions and Loans (1/2)

Chapter 929 Land Transactions and Loans

Seeing that Arthur had never taken the initiative to propose to increase troops in Europe, Churchill finally couldn't help it and said straight to the point: "Your Majesty, we need the support of Australasia in Europe."

Arthur nodded, not surprised by Churchill's request for help. Britain and France are already at a disadvantage in the current war. If the British do not intend to seek peace, then they will definitely seek more help from the outside world.

But it is obvious that Arthur would not take the initiative to help Britain. As the saying goes, you don't release the eagle until you see the rabbit. How could Arthur, who had already made a strategic plan, send out hundreds of thousands of Australasia troops just because of Churchill's words?

"We are also paying attention to the battlefield in Europe, but unfortunately, because of the war with the island countries, we don't have any spare troops to help you for the time being.

To be honest, maintaining an army of 800,000 in Europe is already a headache for me. There are more than 200,000 troops in Africa and the Middle East. We have invested millions of troops in the war against Germany. This is the best we can do for Australasia." Arthur smiled and nodded, and started a complaint meeting with Churchill.

In terms of comparing misery, Arthur is not inferior to these politicians. The British can count all the colonial troops into the troops they have invested, so Arthur can naturally count the troops of Kalimantan and the Philippines into the contribution of Australasia.

If the troops of Kalimantan and the Philippines are counted, Australasia has invested at least 2 million troops in this entire war. For Australasia, which has a population of only more than 40 million, it is definitely "breaking bones".

"North Kalimantan Territory." Churchill gritted his teeth and said the price he had already expected.

Most of Kalimantan already belongs to the United Kalimantan Sultanate, which is completely controlled by Australasia and is actually a colony of Australasia.

The British control North Kalimantan, which is only some coastal areas in the north of the island. Although it is not large in area, it still has millions of indigenous people.

This is almost the maximum price discussed within the British government. Facing this country that is likely to pose a threat to the post-war British government, many British officials, including Prime Minister Churchill, really don't want to bleed too much.

"That is mostly a wasteland of indigenous people?" Arthur was surprised at the British's attitude of bleeding proactively, but a small North Kalimantan territory obviously could not satisfy Arthur's appetite.

"If the Straits Settlements are added, perhaps those guys in the House of Representatives will be interested." Arthur said with a smile.

Compared with the North Kalimantan territory, the Straits Settlements near the Strait of Malacca obviously made Arthur more excited.

If the Strait of Malacca can be controlled, it means controlling the main transportation route between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

The political role and economic value brought by this area cannot be compared even with the ten territories of North Kalimantan.

"Straits Settlements?" Churchill's face changed drastically, and his expression became somewhat uncontrollable: "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Your Majesty, the British Empire will never tolerate the cession of the Straits Settlements, even if it loses this war."

Arthur's smile still did not stop, as if he did not care about the attitude of the British: "Then there is no need to talk, Mr. Prime Minister.

Australasian certainly wants to help its allies, but before the biggest enemy, the island country, is resolved, we have no ability to support other battlefields."

Obviously, the initiative is firmly controlled by Arthur.

At present, the war has developed to this point. If the British want to negotiate, they must pay a heavier price than the Straits Settlements.

Even according to the ambitions shown by the current German government, if the British want to negotiate, I am afraid that the colonies in Africa and India will be in danger.

Compared with such a large colonial scope, the small Straits Settlements that Arthur requested are already the most benevolent.

At least for the sake of Queen Victoria, Arthur did not ask for too much. Otherwise, Australasia could become the mantis catching the cicada while the oriole waits behind.

After calming down a little, Churchill forced a smile, and was annoyed with himself for deciding to come in person.

If he had known that Arthur's appetite was so big, Churchill would never have come to Australasia in person. If he agreed to Australasia's conditions, Churchill would become the sinner who took the initiative to cede British territory.

But if he did not agree to Arthur's conditions, Churchill would become the person who destroyed the relationship between Britain and Australia after a little publicity from Australasia.

As for the ability of Australasia to publicize public opinion, Churchill had no doubt at all.

The change in the attitude of the British and French people towards war was greatly contributed by the media organizations in Australasia.

According to the current penetration of Australasia into the British and French media, I am afraid that at least one-third of the media in the two countries have the presence of Australasia capital.

In addition to those neutral newspapers that can even sell themselves out for the sake of interests, Churchill believes that if the cooperation between Britain and Australasia is not achieved, he will definitely become the scapegoat.

"Your Majesty, the Straits Settlements are very important to us. Can your country change the conditions?" Churchill forced an ugly smile and said to Arthur in a humbly.

It's not that he hasn't thought about exposing Arthur's ambitions after the negotiations failed, but the chance of failure is very high.

Considering Arthur's huge popularity in England, this was something neither George V nor Edward VII could do. Coupled with the propaganda of the media controlled by Australasia, I am afraid that most British people are still willing to believe in the power of the media.

By then, what will he be, Churchill? The criminal who destroyed the relationship between the two royal families? Or the scapegoat who was forcibly pushed out? Isn't it still the same ending?

Seeing Churchill's unwillingness, Arthur smiled and said, "Mr. Churchill, have you ever considered the world structure after the war?"

Churchill nodded: "Of course. If we can defeat Germany, the world order composed of Britain and Australia can still control the situation."

"I'm afraid not necessarily." Arthur shook his head: "The premise of all this depends on the fact that there is no challenger to the world order like Germany.

For Britain and Australasia, we need colonies. It is no secret to say that colonies can provide us with sufficient manpower and resources, which are also the basic factors for a strong country.

But for countries like Germany and Russia, their strength does not depend on their colonies, but on their own land area and population.

According to predictions, after the war, a three-legged situation will emerge. In addition to us being able to influence the world situation, the Russians will also be the chess players who influence the world situation. "

Churchill nodded again, quite agreeing with Arthur's words. The reason why Russia can pose a threat is not only its huge land area, but also the huge size of its population.

Although World War I and Civil War devastated Russia for several years, the country already had a population of nearly 150 million before the war broke out.

This is quite an exaggerated concept. Even in Germany, which shined brilliantly in World War II, its main ethnic group, the Germans, only numbered over 70 million.

This was the number of Germans they had after annexing Austria and Czechoslovakia.

The native population of the Russians is more than twice that of the Germans. What an exaggerated and terrifying concept!

That is to say, the Russian economy and industry had always been at the upper-middle level among the great powers and had not reached the top level, which made the British relax their vigilance.

If the Russian economy and industry had reached the level of the Americans long ago, I am afraid that the British military intervention would be more violent than imagined.

Seeing Churchill nod, Arthur continued: "Because of this, even if the war ends, Australasia and Britain still have the same interests.

At least in my opinion, there will be no conflict of interest between our two countries in the next 50 years, and the Anglo-Australian alliance can still be maintained for a long time. "

While speaking, Arthur glanced at Churchill before continuing: "More importantly, Australasia has any interest in India, and we are willing to support British rule in India.

Including South Africa, Egypt, Canada and South America, etc., we have no interest. This is also the foundation of Britain-Australia relations. Australasia will never be a challenger to British interests, but a defender of British interests. "

Churchill did not react much before, but when it comes to lands such as India, South Africa and Canada, Churchill's reaction is quite violent.

This is normal. The reason why the British Empire has maintained its strength for nearly a hundred years is definitely due to its vast colonies.

Compared with the Straits Settlements, the importance of India, South Africa, Egypt and Canada is significantly higher.

Because the Straits Settlements are the main transportation route between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, all British colonies in the Pacific have been transferred to Australasia.

In other words, the importance of the Straits Settlements to Britain is not as high as imagined. Occupying the Straits Settlements, the British also had to bear pressure from the navies of the island nations.

But if the Straits Settlements are ceded to Australasia, not only will it be able to obtain Arthur's commitment to support Britain's important territorial rights in India, Egypt, South Africa and Canada, but it will also allow Australasia to face the pressure of the island countries alone. Thinking about it this way, it doesn’t seem too bad.

But regarding the cession of territory, even Churchill, as the British Prime Minister, could not make his own decision.

"Your Majesty, the matter of territorial cession is not something I can decide. Please give me a certain amount of time and I will convey to you the results of the parliamentary vote." Churchill was silent for a moment before saying.

Arthur nodded, not in a hurry. Looking at Churchill, who seemed to have made a major decision, he smiled and said: "If nothing unexpected happens, Australasia's full-scale attack on the island country will be carried out within a month.

We will dispatch at least 3 million troops, and the entire Pacific Fleet will also be dispatched. If possible, the Australasian government hopes to borrow at least 1 billion Australian dollars from the United Kingdom as a war fund to attack the island country. "

Compared with ceding territory, a loan of A$1 billion is not that important. For Britain, which controls the most elite areas of the United States, the current war costs are still completely affordable.

"I will notify the British private banks, but it is not possible to prepare funds for such a large project in a short time. Moreover, most of the private banks are very greedy, at least they cannot accept completely interest-free loans." Churchill clicked. Nod and say.

"Of course, we will accept low-interest loans." Arthur could accept both interest-free and low-interest loans.

Compared with the small cost of the war, if the war could be won, the benefits from Germany, Italy and the island countries would definitely be tens of times greater.

After all, an island country has tens of millions of people, and as long as Arthur is willing, tens of millions of people can be slaves.

The economic value created by these people may only take a few years to fully repay the 1 billion Australian dollar loan.

As for whether the island country can't bear the huge economic pressure, or even the boiling public resentment, who cares?

The loser must bear the responsibility and consequences of starting the war, not to mention that Arthur has no psychological burden for any action against this country that has committed various crimes in its original history.

Hearing that Arthur could also accept a low-interest loan, Churchill's face became much better.

If Arthur was unwilling to accept a low-interest loan, Churchill would not be able to raise 1 billion Australian dollars for Arthur's interest-free loan.

By the way, can we find a loan business of 1 billion Australian dollars for those private capitalists, so that the newspapers controlled by capitalists can shut up in the Straits Settlements transaction?

After the conversation, Churchill, who was in a complicated mood, had no intention of visiting the military industry and military training in Australasia, and hurriedly took a plane back to London, England.

Arthur didn't care that Churchill left in a hurry. After all, Churchill had to deal with the inquiries of the British government and Parliament after returning home, and the Straits Settlements transaction could not be reached in a short time.

But the news of the full-scale attack on the island country that Arthur revealed to Churchill was not false news. In any case, Arthur has decided to launch a full-scale attack on the island country within a month.

At present, the war in Europe is already in full swing. If there is no big movement in Australasia, it is inevitable that people will think that Australasia is just a slacker in the war.

This is absolutely unacceptable to Arthur, who wants to gain greater benefits after the war. Not only must we fight the island country, but we must also fight beautifully and quickly.

This will not only allow other countries to see Australasia's strong military strength, but also allow them to understand Australasia's contribution in the war.