Chapter 290: Prince's request
Prince Ruprecht’s suggestion was finally adopted by the Kaiser. This result was a happy result for all German royal families. The only ones whose interests were harmed were the senior staff of the German General Staff, because their decision-making power had been Invisible weakening, only the right to suggest. And if it enters the war, then Prussian military power will also be transferred from their hands to the emperor and his staff.
The prince finally decided to do this for another reason, that is, to ensure the control of the imperial army by the top of the various states. In the middle and late stages of the First World War, Germany’s military power was almost in the hands of Hindenburg and Ludendorf. The level was limited, and eventually turned into a marionette. When the domestic political crisis broke out, the emperor and the aristocracy of the kingdom became extremely vulnerable. Especially when Hindenburg expressed his disapproval of the emperor, the entire old political system in Germany fell apart.
As a future country, Ruprecht naturally does not want his crown to fly away, and controlling the army is what he must do. Even to some extent, only the military power of each kingdom is in the hands of the emperor and king. Then his position is considered stable, so he is willing to help the Kaiser tighten his military power.
Of course, this help is definitely not free. Since Prince Ruprecht and Bavaria have attracted a lot of hatred and hostility as the pawns of the Kaiser regaining military power, the Kaiser must give some compensation. Otherwise, who will pay? Will help you? And now the prince wants to know, what benefit can the Kaiser do?
"Bavaria can keep one more reserve army in peacetime, how about it?" After retiring others, the Kaiser made his own offer.
According to the situation at the beginning of the First World War in history, the German Army’s formation was 25 regular troops and 13 reserve troops. The military strength of Bavaria is 3 armies and 1 reserve army. The force is about one-ninth of the entire German force! If a reserve army is added, then the force before mobilization is about one-eighth, and the force after mobilization is still one-eighth. The overall proportion has actually risen slightly, and because it is a reserve, it is usually an empty shelf, and it does not consume much money.
The conditions of the German emperor were very particular. The Bavarian army has increased in number, sharing the pressure of Prussia, and at the same time, it did not disrupt the military balance within the empire. Anyway, the Bavarian army is raised by the kingdom itself. Didn't pay, the Kaiser's abacus is very good!
"It doesn't make any sense." Ruprecht smiled bitterly, "This result is not what I want to see."
"How about the establishment of the regular army? This is already the bottom line. The establishment of a regular army needs to be discussed by the General Staff, and you increase it. What if Saxony and Württemberg also demand an increase? The pressure I have to bear is great. "The German Emperor said displeasedly.
"It's early today. Can we make a long-term plan? A strategic look at the status and contribution of the Kingdom of Bavaria?" the prince asked.
"Well, you have one afternoon." William II relaxed himself and changed to a somewhat lazy but more comfortable posture.
"Remember what I told you about the worst situation that Germany may face?" the prince asked.
"Of course, remember that you are worried that Britain and France will attack Germany from the Western Front, while Russia will attack on the Eastern Front." The Kaiser nodded and said.
"If this happens, I hope that my Bavarian Army can cooperate with the German East Prussian Army and the Austro-Hungarian Army on the eastern front. From a positional point of view, Bavaria is right in East Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The middle position. We are fighting on an absolute inside line and can support two directions at the same time." The prince said.
"I agree with this in principle. But what does this have to do with what we are talking about today?" The Kaiser frowned and said.
"What Bavaria needs is not an ordinary division, it needs mobile power! It can quickly support East Prussia on the northern line and Austria-Hungary on the southern line! A fast-moving and powerful force." said the prince.
"Oh, do you mean you want to strengthen the cavalry force? Or are you planning to build more troops like the Bavarian Mobile Division?" The Kaiser finally understood what he meant, but soon he couldn't figure it out. Since you want to build it , Then just change the newly added army into a mobile army. What's the difference?
"First, it is impossible for the mobile unit to be set up as a preparatory organization, because they are more specialized, require more training, more experienced, and more powerful officers and soldiers, so your first plan will not work."
"Second, this problem is actually our own problem. The population of Bavaria does not seem to be able to easily add a regular army-level establishment." The prince said embarrassedly.
"What are you kidding me? Bavaria's population was one-eighth of the empire in 1890, and now this ratio has transitioned to one-seventh. In recent years, your Bavarian population has grown at almost the highest rate in the country. You can count it, you tell me you are short of people?" The Kaiser sneered.
"Our industrial population has increased by about 3.5 times in 9 years! Agriculture has also increased a large amount of arable land due to soil improvement policies~www.wuxiaspot.com~ The annual demographic dividend is not enough to compensate for the increase in industry and agriculture. The needs of the job. And our projects in Africa also need a lot of population." The prince said slightly embarrassed.
"Hehe, there is a shortage of human resources in Bavaria now?" the Kaiser asked rhetorically. "Okay, don't say anything, tell your true purpose, let's end our circle of circles!" The Kaiser turned his voice and said.
Perhaps the population of Bavaria is indeed relatively small now. A complete army requires 43,000 people. This is just a unit. If you count some other units, it may be more. 4 army plus 1 reserve army and cavalry, and then some army. For high-level and other units, there are a total of 200,000 people. This is indeed a bit more for Bavaria's base of only 9 million people.
But the Kaiser does not believe that Bavaria cannot afford it, because the fiscal revenue of the Kingdom of Bavaria has doubled more than 1.5 times in the past few years! Not to mention the faster-growing royal industry! There is no problem with the economy, and the manpower can be squeezed. After all, the proportion of the population of the Bavarian army is still lower than that of Prussia, but Prussia has more than 60% of the population to bear nearly 80% of the military power! Therefore, the German emperor thought that what the prince said was just a pretext!
The second is even more~~~, this chapter was sent by the author in advance, rewards and monthly pass support, thank you again in the next chapter~~~! Seeking subscription for support~~~!
