Chapter 259: A Great Power Is a Robber (Asking for a Monthly Pass)
As the world's largest industrial country, the United States surpassed Britain in industrial output as early as the end of the last century and became the world's first. In addition www.biquge.info the United States also has the world's third-largest navy. So, this made the United States the object of competition between the Entente and the Central Powers.
It's just that the war has just begun, the situation is not yet clear, and the United States is not willing to make a choice now. They prefer to wait for the price to sell, or wait until the situation is clear before joining the war, so that they can get the maximum benefit at the lowest cost.
The unique geography of the United States makes it a country of choice. The separation of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans makes it difficult for other countries to launch attacks on their homeland, and as long as a strong navy is maintained, the security of the country can be ensured. As for the army, those countries around it are all war scum, and there is nothing to worry about at all.
Originally, the British looked down on the Americans and considered them nothing more than nouveau riche. They are even more reluctant to allow the United States to extend its influence to Europe, so they are unwilling to let the United States get involved in this war. However, they did not expect Germany to be so powerful at all, and almost knocked them down at the beginning of the war. Under such circumstances, the British naturally forgot their previous fears and tried their best to draw the Americans into their camp. This has become an important way for Britain to quickly defeat Germany and win the war.
Of course, the Americans are not stupid, and naturally they will not easily let Britain get their wish. Therefore, the British need to use all kinds of means to get the United States to join their camp.
"Your Excellency, the Admiralty has proposed a way to increase our strength, which requires your approval." Toward the end of the conversation, Churchill said.
In order to strengthen the British Navy as soon as possible, Churchill can be said to have gray hair.
"Oh? What's the solution? Prime Minister Asquith asked. He has already approved the Navy's large-scale shipbuilding program. But it will take at least a year and a half for those warships to be completed, so they will have to wait a long time.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we still have three battleships built for other countries, which have not yet been delivered to other countries. However, it has already been completed. If these three battleships can be incorporated into the Royal Navy, this can instantly increase the strength of the Royal Navy. Churchill said.
"Do you mean those battleships built for the Turks and Chile?" Prime Minister Asquith frowned.
The strength of the British Royal Navy has always been the first in the world. And Britain's shipbuilding capacity is also the strongest in the world. As a result, other countries that did not have the ability to build battleships often purchased from Britain when they wanted to have battleships. And Britain is happy to help them build. After all, the arms business is very profitable. Battleships, in particular, were even more profitable.
"But they have already paid for it, and if we requisition these battleships now, I am afraid it will have a very negative impact on the credibility of the British Empire." Foreign Secretary Edward? Sir Grey frowned.
"Sir Grey, I can't do that much now. The Royal Navy had suffered heavy losses and was in dire need of warships to replenish its strength. Requisitioning those three battleships was the best way. Churchill said.
Although, those three battleships were all battleships of the foreign trade type, and their performance was not very strong. But the current Royal Navy is no longer qualified to pick and choose.
Prime Minister Asquith frowned, as if thinking about the pros and cons, and it took him a few minutes before he made his decision.
"Well, note to the Ottoman Turkish Empire and Chile, the battleships built for them, temporarily requisitioned by the Royal Navy. When the war is over, we will compensate them. "Prime Minister Asquith has made a decision.
Although this would damage the credibility of the British Empire, for the current British Empire, finding a way to win the war is the most important thing. As for the rest, you can put it aside for now.
"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Edward? Sir Gray nodded.
"Your Excellency, the Germans have been courting the Ottoman Turkish Empire again. If we do this now, will we push the Ottoman Empire into the camp of the Germans? "Edward? Sir Grey asked.
"The Ottoman Turkish Empire should not join the Central Powers. After all, their geographical location matters. They should know that if they join the Allies, they will inevitably be attacked by us. When the time comes, it will not be something they can resist. Prime Minister Asquith said.
The current Ottoman Turkish Empire is not the powerful empire that swept across Europe at the beginning, and has long since declined into the sick man of West Asia. If it weren't for the mutual containment of the major European powers, I am afraid that the Ottoman Turkish Empire would have been destroyed long ago. Therefore, Prime Minister Asquith and others did not take the Ottoman Turkish Empire in their eyes at all, thinking that they would not dare to confront the British Empire at all. Even if the British Empire robbed their battleships, they could only swallow their anger.
Churchill excitedly left the Prime Minister's Office, he was going back to the Admiralty and having people go to the shipyard immediately to receive the three battleships.
The three battleships were the Sultan Osman I and the Ressadih, built by the British for the Ottoman Turkish Empire, and the Admiral Latol, built for Chile.
Among them, the two battleships of the Ottoman Turkish Empire, which were originally built for Brazil. However, the Brazilians did not have the money to pay, so it was transferred to the Ottoman Turkish Empire. But I didn't expect that the Ottoman Turkish Empire had paid the money and had not yet got the battleship, so it was requisitioned by the British. This became an important reason for the Ottoman Turkish Empire to join the Central Powers in the future.
The British Navy named the three battleships 'Agincourt', 'Ireland' and 'Canada'.
With a displacement of 30,000 tons, a maximum speed of 22 knots, and seven twin 305 mm guns, the Agincourt is the battleship with the most main guns in the world.
The Irish has a displacement of 25,000 tons, a maximum speed of 21 knots, and is armed with five twin 305mm guns.
The Canada has a displacement of 32,000 tons, a maximum speed of 22.75 knots, and is armed with five twin 356 mm guns.
These three battleships have strong firepower, but they all have a strong British battleship style, that is, they attach importance to firepower and speed, and despise defense. This has proven to be unworkable in previous battles.