Chapter 467: Buying a Battleship
The British cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Asquith, looked at Churchill one by one, not knowing what he could do to restore the strength of the Royal Navy quickly. After all www.biquge.info it takes almost two years for a capital ship to go from construction to service. Even if it's overtime, a year and a half is always indispensable. And the Germans, apparently, will not give them so much time.
Churchill naturally knew what everyone's doubts were, so he went on to explain. He knew that if his plan was to succeed, it would have to get the approval of the entire cabinet. Otherwise, his plan would never have succeeded.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Your Excellencies. The Royal Navy now had only 7 battleships and 1 battlecruiser left, and it was simply impossible and unrealistic to fight the Germans in a decisive battle. However, there are other ways in which we can strengthen the Royal Navy. For example, to buy warships from other countries. Churchill said.
"Buying a battleship? How is this possible? The ministers were stunned.
You must know that in the past, when it was the hegemon of the sea, it was always other countries that bought warships from Britain, and Britain never bought warships like other countries. What's more, in the current situation, what other country can provide them with warships, and a large number of warships that can compete with the capital ships of the German Navy?
"Your Excellency Churchill, which country can we buy warships from?" Edward? Sir Grey asked.
"America! Now only the United States has enough warships to sell us. Churchill said.
"Americans? Although their shipbuilding industry is very developed, if they want to provide us with warships, far water will not quench their thirst! "Richard? Haldan said.
Churchill nodded: "Indeed, if another order is placed for the Americans now, it will be too late." So, we'd better be able to buy their active ships. If they could buy all twelve of their current capital ships, it would restore more than half of the Royal Navy's strength. ”
"Buy the active capital ships of the Americans, how could they possibly sell them to me. And if it is sold to us, then what about their own coastal defense? "Immediately, a cabinet minister raised a question.
"With the Atlantic Ocean barrier, the American homeland is undoubtedly safe. What's more, according to the intelligence we received, after the outbreak of war, the Americans began to build a series of new warships. Selling us old warships will also help them recoup their funds to build more new battleships. In this case, it will also be of great benefit to Americans. Now the United States is a neutral country, and they did not participate in the war. So, even if the Germans were annoyed by this, there was nothing they could do with the Americans. The Germans could not have crossed the Atlantic to attack the American mainland. Let's not talk about whether the Germans have such great capabilities. At least it's not cost-effective. Even if the Germans eventually won this war, they would inevitably be exhausted. When the time comes, where will they have the extra energy to deal with the Americans? Without worries, the Americans sold us those battleships, that is highly likely. Churchill said.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Americans have always had ambitions. If we can continue the war with the Germans, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to them. Otherwise, once the Germans won the war easily, their strength would inevitably swell to a point that worried the Americans. When the time comes, if the Americans want to dominate the Americas, it will be simply impossible. So, for their own sake, the Americans will certainly help us through this difficult time. Churchill said.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, this is quite possible. Before the outbreak of the war, the Germans and the Americans were fighting for South America, and the two countries were very unhappy about it. The Americans have always regarded South America as their backyard and will never allow other countries to get involved. The Germans needed more markets and raw material sources, which made the two countries almost irreconcilable. For the sake of the future, there is a very good chance that the Americans will help us. "Colonial Secretary Lewis? Vernon? Harcourt said.
"In that case, let's contact the Americans and ask them to sell us those ships!" Prime Minister Asquith said. As long as there is the slightest chance to defeat the Germans, they will not let it go easily.
"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." A flash of excitement flashed in Churchill's eyes. He was not a man who was willing to admit defeat easily, and even in the current predicament, he was still thinking about defeating Germany and winning.
"Your Excellency, the Americans are not a good thing either. Now, we ask them to come to them, and they will certainly not let go of this opportunity. I fear that the Americans will come up with some conditions that are simply unacceptable to us. In addition, our finances do not allow us to spend so much money on warships. "Lloyd? George reminded.
The ministers all nodded their heads one after another, and they undoubtedly looked down on the Americans as well. Even if the United States becomes the world's largest industrial output, it is only regarded as an upstart by them. In addition, Britain has always been reluctant to form a country formed by the descendants of criminals to surpass them, so it has been looking for trouble with the United States. If it weren't for the sudden rise of Germany, Britain would still be suppressing the United States.
You don't have to think about it to know that the U.S. government will not give up this good opportunity! After all, the United States is the only one in the world that can still supply these warships to Britain. So, there is almost no doubt that they will slaughter Britain hard.
"As long as we can defeat the Germans, even if it costs a lot, it's worth it. If there is not enough money, we can even transfer some unimportant colonies to the Americans in exchange for these warships. "Churchill was resolute.
"How can it be done to transfer the colonies to the Americans? Those colonies are the foundation of the British Empire! "Colonial Secretary Lewis? Vernon? Harcourt immediately objected. He was in favor of buying American warships, but he did not agree to exchange colonies for them.
"We're just trading the Americans for unimportant colonies. The real essence of the colony, it is impossible to give it to the Americans. What's more, if we don't try our best to win the war, if we lose, those colonies won't be able to keep it either. Churchill said.
Prime Minister Asquith hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "Defeating the Germans is the most important thing, and everything else can be abandoned for the time being!" ”