Chapter 634: Sea power vs land

While the Germans were considering **** the Russians, the Russians were also considering **** the Germans! Even at the end of the Russo-Japanese War, the Russians had already begun to consider the situation of the future war against the Allies as a whole. However, compared with the prince’s foresight, the Russians knew nothing about the strategy of the Allies and they could only speculate. Develop a Russian war plan!

  But first of all, the Russians must first solve their funding problem, um, yes, it is the funding problem! In order to win the Russo-Japanese War, the Russians spent 3.2 million rubles on the battlefield every day! With the continuation of the war, the Russian treasury, which was originally inadequate, soon became able to run smoothly. After the war, although Britain and France provided loans of more than 2 billion francs, most of this money was used to fill financial loopholes and stabilize the domestic situation. Not much can be used as military expenditure.

  The Russians are facing a very serious problem, how to build an army that can meet the needs of future wars with limited military expenditure. After all, you have to fight for Britain and France with the money of Britain and France! In the palace in St. Petersburg, high-level Russian military officials gathered to discuss the future of the Russian military.

"I think that under the current circumstances, it is no longer appropriate for us to continue to maintain the principle of equal emphasis on navy and army. If before then, it is reasonable for the empire to invest a lot of money in building the navy in order to suppress the Japanese navy in order to occupy the northeast. So now, in Europe, what Russia needs more is a powerful army rather than a navy!" Army Secretary Kuropatkin first stabbed a former naval comrade.

"When Britain, Germany, France and the United States are all building their navies in hopes of catching up with this wave of naval technological innovation, you, Kuropatkin, attacked and injured the navy for personal gain. This is a crime! Me! I admit that in the war in the Far East, I have an unshirkable responsibility, but I still want to remind you that the control of the Baltic Sea is directly related to the safety of our country along the Baltic Sea. This is one of our most important industrial bases, and the Black Sea To the north is Russia’s granary, Ukraine. In order to ensure these vital areas, I think that the construction of the navy must not only not be left behind, but must be accelerated.” said Admiral Essen, the current Minister of the Russian Navy.

   "Well, I have a few questions, can you answer me? First, can our country build a new dreadnought ship?" Kulopatkin asked.

   "Not yet, the Borodino-class battleship is already the largest and most advanced battleship we can build, and this battleship is still quite some distance away from fearlessness, so we have to catch up." Admiral Essen said.

"Second, the Germans currently have 6 dreadnoughts, and there are still no less than this number of warships being built on the berth. Then I would like to ask Admiral Essen how much money and how long the empire needs to invest, In order to build a fleet that can compete with the German High Seas Fleet in the Baltic Sea? The German navy construction cost is terribly high! Just last year, the German Navy’s funding was as high as 12 million pounds! I would like to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Empire Can you provide the same funding for the Navy?" Kuropatkin had a triumphant smile on his face.

"Thirdly, I personally think that the Black Sea Fleet is enough to suppress the broken Turkish Navy. Even if they acquire the armored cruiser Prince Albert, they still cannot change this situation. Therefore, the Black Sea Fleet is updated with the shipbuilding system to build greater fearlessness. It doesn’t make much sense for the ship to deal with this weak enemy. At least it’s not what needs to be done now. Therefore, I suggest that the expansion of the Black Sea Fleet can be put on hold for a while.” Kuropatkin made the last cut!

Seeing the angry, frustrated and speechless expression of Essen on the opposite side, Kuropatkin was also a dark heart. It is not that he and Essen have any personal feuds. It is entirely because the **** decides his head and he is the Secretary of the Army. , It is natural to run for the interests of the army. For the army of a country, there are two biggest enemies in the country. One is the Ministry of Finance and the Duma, which determine the purse holders, and the other is the navy... The master who grabs money bags with himself! And now this combination of punches is basically about to knock down the second enemy to the ground, right?

"Everyone, I hope everyone can put aside their prejudices and think about the future of the Russian Empire. I admit that for a long time, the empire’s fleet in the Baltic Sea cannot compete with the German navy, but we still need a powerful one. The fleet is the most basic deterrent!" Essen calmed down his excitement and said.

"If we don't even have the most basic deterrent, then the German high seas fleet can open a gap on the Baltic Sea coast at any time, and then the powerful German army can land in Poland, the Gulf of Riga, and even near St. Petersburg! We quote The strategic depth of pride will be greatly compromised because of the sea. Just imagine, if we lose the Baltic coast, can Russia stick to it? Can you tolerate the German fleet's brilliance on the Baltic Sea~www.wuxiaspot.com~ with heavy artillery Sweeping our city again and again?"

   "As long as the army can obtain sufficient resources, this situation will not happen at all, General Essen, you can not exaggerate the Germans and devalue the Russian army for the navy." Kuropatkin said dissatisfied. "And I did not say not to build a navy. I think we can build submarines, torpedo boats, destroyers, and develop mine tactics to defend the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is very small, and mine warfare and lightning strike ships are very useful in offshore defense. I think You must have a deep understanding?"

  Kuropatkin’s words were stabbed, which obviously alluded to the incident when Essen’s fleet was sailing before the outbreak of the South China Sea. But to be honest, there are some truths in what Kulopatkin said. In the Baltic Sea, submarines and mine warfare are indeed sharp weapons for offshore defense. Of course, more importantly, it saves money...

"The Baltic Sea needs a strong fleet, and the Black Sea also needs a strong fleet. We cannot allow the Germans to do whatever they want in the Baltic Sea. Although the British promised that they would deal with the German navy, we cannot trust our own safety to others. As for the Black Sea? I think that in a short period of time, at least 4 years, there is no need for expansion. Our Black Sea Fleet is enough to suppress the Turks. Compared to the Turks, there is not enough funds to build the navy, right?" When Essen was about to fight with Kuropatkin again, Nicholas II made a final decision.

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