Chapter 2152: The British decision

However, this proposal did not receive everyone's support after all. The military indicated that it would not inquire into relevant intelligence, and Roosevelt also rejected this proposal on behalf of the US government. It is not that the effect is not good after success, but the probability of success is too low, and the price after exposure is too high!

In the end, although the meeting was a bit rough, they finally reached a basic agreement on some issues. The Americans actually asked very little for the outcome of the First World War. On the contrary, their most important thing now is to prepare for the war. After the end of the First World War, Germany can immediately start a war with the Americans against Japan. The shorter the preparation time, the better! Leaving aside the Americans’ decision for the time being, Britain, in the center of the war, is making a very difficult decision. The war has already been lost, and Britain’s national strength is not enough to support it, so peace talks will become the only one. Way out.

At this time, at Buckingham Palace, King George V of England called together Prime Minister Asquis, Secretary of the Army Lloyd George, Secretary of the Navy Oakland Campbell Gates, Secretary of Quartermaster Chamberlain, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Arthur Balfour. British top. At this time, the British Empire must seriously consider something that it has not encountered in hundreds of years-how to sign a defeated treaty!

　　 "Will the negotiation note we sent to Germany through a third country have results?" George V asked.

"The Germans only said they are willing to contact. According to the intelligence we collected from all aspects this time, the Germans will have more stringent conditions this time than the last time. They not only demanded that we cede a large number of colonies, but also demanded a large amount of compensation. , The amount will be very large, possibly more than 2 billion pounds.” Foreign Secretary Arthur Belfort said.

　　 "2 billion pounds! Are the Germans crazy? Did they treat us as French in the Franco-Prussian War?" Admiral Campbell exclaimed.

"Actually, we are better than the French at the time and are limited. At least the French port was still operating at the time, and our port was full of submarines and mines. Submarines are really a despicable weapon. These little guys have caused the empire. The damage is not less than that of the battleship of the High Seas Fleet!" Prime Minister Asquith sighed.

"If we agree to the Germans' previous conditions, cede British southern Africa and allow the Germans to dispose of Belgium, plus a certain amount of compensation, can we sign a peace treaty with the Germans?" George V After thinking about it.

Land cessation and indemnity are two links that cannot be bypassed in most wars. In the eyes of the British, it was a bit excessive for the Germans to want the entire British Southern Africa, but now, the British Expeditionary Force has been annihilated. When the Germans hold hundreds of thousands of British prisoners of war, then this condition is really not excessive. Even for this generation of the British Empire, the British must agree. As for compensation? The figure of 2 billion pounds is a bit too scary. The British do not want to agree to it yet, but it is impossible to get around it.

　　 "But we are worried that the ambitions of the Germans will increase. If the cession of southern Africa alone will not satisfy the Germans?" Prime Minister Asquith said.

　　 "Then you mean that the Germans will have higher and more demanding requirements? It is difficult for us to accept?" King George V asked with a grim face. This condition alone can make him the most embarrassing British emperor ever!

　　 "The Germans may want our colonies throughout Africa." Prime Minister Asquith said with some difficulty. "Not only southern Africa, there may also be Egypt, Sudan, and Nigeria. The most critical issue is that it is difficult for us to refuse the other's request. Because if we refuse, it means that the war will continue. Germany People have solved the Western Front, so the next attack direction must be the mainland. Whether it is the blockade of our communication lines or the blow to the large fleet, it is difficult for us to bear.

　　 "Don't the big fleet have the advantage? I remember Admiral Jericho said that we have a 70% chance of winning against the German High Seas Fleet." George V said with a gloomy face.

"Even if we can defeat the High Seas Fleet, the Great Fleet will also be hit hard. This victory is worse than a Pinos victory. Because we still can't solve the German submarine force. And because of the German blockade, our The supply of supplies is already very bad. And if one day the Americans completely cut off our exports, then we can only succumb. In the waters surrounding the British Empire, only American merchant ships will not be attacked by submarines." Campbell said.

　　 "The Americans should understand that Germany is a country with more potential than us. If we are willing to show weakness to the Americans at this time, can we get American mediation?" asked George V.

"It's difficult~www.wuxiaspot.com~ because the British Empire now has not much bargaining chips. The Germans can get war reparations from France and Russia after the war, which can help the Americans against the Japanese. But what about us? Americans There is no reason to fill the financial loopholes for our friendship, and there is no reason to offend a winner. As long as the Germans do not demand too much and do not exceed the American bottom line, then the United States will not interfere in the British-Germany relationship. relationship."

"And I need to point out that the Empire has no friends anymore. The French have taken refuge in the Germans, and the Russian government of the Tsarist Russia is dead. We now have only one friend among the powers, and that is Japan. We compromise with the United States. "Betraying Japan will not necessarily exchange American friendship, but we will definitely push Japan to the opposite side. Our colonies in Southeast Asia and the Pacific will probably be quite threatened."

"The current British Empire is more like a patient who can't afford it for a long time. Our policy should be based on stability and self-cultivation, and should not adopt too drastic policies, because if you are not careful, the empire may face unimaginable disasters. "Prime Minister Asquith said.

"Actually, generally speaking, Japan is quite qualified as an ally of the empire in the Far East. We share the resources and markets of the Far East with Japan. The Japanese did not harm the interests of the British Empire because of their strength. We need to be economically strong. Japan exports all kinds of resources. The Japanese need our technology and industrial products. And if possible, the future war between the United States and Japan will also be an opportunity for our country. War means money." Lloyd George said.

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