"We want peace, not war!"

"Britain should remain neutral and not get involved in war!"

Outside the Prime Minister's Office in Downing Street, London, England, a large number of angry people held signs to protest against the British government, hoping that the British government would declare neutrality. For the vast majority of the British, they were reluctant to get involved in the war. War means casualties and bloodshed, and no one wants their family to die on the battlefield.

Not only did anti-war protesters protest outside the Prime Minister's House on Downing Street, but there were also large crowds of protesters in Trafalgar Square and in front of Buckingham Palace. This has made the cabinet led by Prime Minister Asquith a little anxious.

Britain was also ready for war, and believed that it was better to fight late than early, and that it would be detrimental to itself if it delayed any longer. Because Britain saw that Germany was more productive than it could, it would quickly catch up in the naval shipbuilding race, hoping to defeat its dangerous rivals by war in 1914 while still maintaining naval superiority. However, after the Sarajevo incident, Britain did not show any intention of entering the war at first, because it was afraid of Germany pulling back from the precipice and taking responsibility for starting the war in the first place. At the same time, there was a pro-German faction in the British parliament and cabinet. Twelve members of the British Cabinet were not in favour of going to war. The working class as a whole and the majority of the Liberals were opposed to going to war. Mass rallies in Trafalgar Square demanded that Britain declare neutrality. In the momentum of the peace movement, the British cabinet is under great pressure.

In the office on the second floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Asquith and Foreign Secretary Edward Edward. Sir Grey stood by the window, looking out at the angry crowd, both of them looking a little gloomy.

"These ignorant people, who have no idea that their present happy life is based entirely on the strength of the British Empire. If we had been defeated by the Germans, they would not have thought about the good life they have now. Prime Minister Asquith said with a gloomy face.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister. The populace is always short-sighted, and there is no way around it. However, there was a nationwide peace movement rejecting the war, and the government was under great pressure. "Edward. Sir Grey said.

"This is our best chance to defeat the Germans and defend the world hegemony of the British Empire, if missed. It's hard to have another opportunity like this. Asquith really didn't want to pass up this opportunity.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, if not, we warn the Germans to stop mobilizing. Britain could remain neutral if they were willing to stop mobilizing and not declare war on France. Let Austria-Hungary and Russia fight this war. "Edward. Sir Grey said. Although Austria-Hungary was not weak, it was a little worse than Russia, and wanted to defeat Russia. It is even more unlikely. If the war had been confined to Austria-Hungary and Russia, the scale of the war would not have been too great.

Prime Minister Asquith nodded: "That's a good idea. Will the Germans accept our kindness, though? ”

Edward. Sir Grey shrugged his shoulders indifferently: "If the Germans don't accept it, then there is no way." We also have an explanation for the people. When the time comes, we can use this as an excuse to declare war on the Allies and officially join the war. ”

"Good. Then do it! "Prime Minister Asquith has adopted this approach.

"That's right, Your Excellency the Prime Minister. About transactions between the Chinese and the Germans. What do you think? "Edward. Sir Grey asked.

"The Chinese are completely taking advantage of the fire this time. The Germans also knew that their colonies could not be kept, so they simply transferred their colonies in the Pacific to the Chinese. Prime Minister Asquith said. He was also very dissatisfied with the dealings between the Chinese Empire and the German Empire. You know, if a big war broke out between the Entente and the Central Powers and they were won, then. All these German colonies will be their spoils. But now, the Chinese have taken over these colonies.

"Yesterday, the Japanese ambassador to Britain met with me and proposed that Britain, Japan, and the United States unite to force the Chinese Empire to spit out these colonies. The U.S. side seems to be very moved. After the Chinese expanded their power to the central Pacific Ocean. poses a great threat to the United States. "Edward. Sir Grey said.

Prime Minister Asquith was silent for a moment, and then said: "We can express our stance to put pressure on the Chinese." But if substantive action is to be taken, it is better to forget it. Our greatest enemy now is the Germans, and we can no longer provoke a power like the Chinese Empire. ”

Edward. Sir Grey nodded, agreeing with Prime Minister Asquith's view. Although the British Empire was the world hegemon, they were not in a good position under the pressure of the Germans. In order to deal with the Germans, the British Empire was already shrinking its military power around the world. If we confront China again, the consequences will be unimaginable. Their Straits Settlements, Indian Colonies, Australian Colonies, and New Zealand Colonies will all be targeted by China. And now, Britain is simply unable to protect these colonies. Once these colonies are also lost, it may not be easy for Britain to win the war. Even if it were a final victory, it would be a pyrrhic victory. When the time comes, their world hegemony will be in jeopardy, which is definitely not what the British government wants to see.

"However, the Chinese have always been greedy. They have already eaten the fat in their mouths, and it is absolutely impossible for them to spit it out again. Unless it is a military action, they will never give in. "Edward. Sir Grey said.

"Even if military action is to be taken, it is a matter for the Japanese and the Americans. It has nothing to do with the British Empire. "Prime Minister Asquith is very resolute.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, the Japanese are also aware of this. So, they wanted the British Empire to give them more support. For example, financial and technical. The Chinese Empire was frantically building warships, which already made Japan feel great pressure. The longer it drags on, the less likely the Japanese will win. "Edward. Sir Grey said.

"In terms of funding, the British Empire now has nothing to spare. We have to deal with a protracted war, where is the money for the Japanese? In terms of technology, the technology of 356-mm naval guns could be handed over to the Japanese. Also, aren't we working on a 16-inch gun? If the Japanese want it, they can give it to them for a fee. Prime Minister Asquith said.

Although Britain is now powerless to curb the expansion of the Chinese Empire, this does not mean that Britain will remain indifferent. They can contain China by supporting the Japanese.

Edward. Sir Gray nodded. He also knew that the technology of the new naval gun had always been what the Japanese wanted.

Subsequently, the British government presented an ultimatum to Germany, demanding that Germany stop mobilizing and not declare war on France. But how could Germany, whose war machine had already been in motion, give up at this time? After declaring war on Russia on July 31, Germany declared war on France on August 3.

On 2 August, the German General Staff, in order to implement the Schlieffen plan, sent an ultimatum to Belgium, asking for permission for the German army to fight against the French army through Belgium and to reply within 24 hours. Belgium, with a population of 7 million, courageously rejected Germany's unreasonable demands and appealed to Britain for help. On August 4, Germany flagrantly broke the 1839 treaty guaranteeing the permanent neutrality of Belgium, and the German army invaded Belgium. Upon learning of Germany's intention to invade Belgium, Britain issued an ultimatum to Germany on 4 August, demanding that Germany unconditionally respect Belgian neutrality. But the German prime minister declared to the British ambassador to Germany: "International treaties are nothing but a piece of waste paper." Britain then declared war on Germany under the pretext of Germany's destruction of Belgian neutrality. In just one week, the two major military blocs in Europe appeared one after another amid the clamor of war, and they were involved in a four-year war. The world war began.

The war broke out in Europe, which was not directly related to the Chinese Empire. The Chinese Empire was busy accepting German colonies in the Pacific while preparing for the defense of those colonies. The main forces of the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Navy were ready for battle. Four battle cruisers and eight heavy cruisers also began to patrol the waters near the new territories of the empire to ensure the safety of these territories.

On August 5, 4612 (14) of the Yellow Emperor Era, Japan officially declared war on Germany under the pretext of the Anglo-Japanese alliance. At the same time, the Japanese Minister to China, Hayashi Quansuke, the British Minister to China, Sir Juerden, and the American Minister to China, Zenshi Engshi, jointly asked to see the Imperial Prime Minister Yang Du and formally protested against the Chinese Empire's acceptance of Germany's colonies in the Pacific.

In the Imperial Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Yang Du and Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi were both here. At the other end of the conference table are Lin Quanzhu, Zhu Erdian and Shen Enshi.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Your Excellency the Foreign Secretary. The British Empire was very unhappy with the Chinese Empire's acceptance of German colonies in the Pacific. Germany was our enemy, those colonies, which in the future would become trophies of the British Empire. In doing so, the Chinese Empire was robbing the spoils of the British Empire. The Chinese Empire had to surrender those colonies. Otherwise, the British Empire retains the right to resort to any means. "Sir Jurdian's attitude is very tough.

"The Great Japanese Empire has declared war on Germany. The German colonies in the Pacific were to be the target of the Japanese Empire's attack. The Chinese Empire's acceptance of those colonies would seriously damage Sino-Japanese relations. Lin Quanzhu also said. (To be continued.) )

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