Chapter 153

  January 10, 1903, Port of Sydney, Australia.

  It's another year's National Day, and Sydney is still crowded, but the place where people gather has changed from the central square in front of the government building to the open space in Sydney Harbour.

  Because of the naval parade, and the fact that the Australian government and royal family had warmed up in Australia a month in advance, the open space near the port was filled with onlookers, and many people didn't even have a place to stay.

  It was so crowded that people sitting or standing on the flat ground were almost shoulder to shoulder, and in some narrow places it was difficult to even reach out.

  But that didn't dampen Australians' enthusiasm for participating in the parade. At just five o'clock in the morning, the open space was almost full of people, and it was still increasing rapidly.

  If it weren't for the large enough open space in the port, coupled with the flat concrete floor that the Australian government has prepared for this naval parade, even the port of Sydney might not be able to accommodate so many onlookers.

  While more onlookers means more trust in the government and the royal family, too many people crowded into small places is not a good thing.

  Because of the large number of people, it is very easy to have a stampede. In addition, people are talking so much that they may not even be able to hear each other's shouts.

  In order to ensure the safety of these people, the Ministry of Public Security has deliberately brought in many police forces from other places, even the troops that are being trained near Sydney.

  Even the police and the army dispatched more than 1,000 people, which can be regarded as barely maintaining order at the scene.

  Of course, it is clear to all. Before the parade began, the order of the scene was relatively quiet.

  When the real naval parade begins, I'm afraid the scene will become even more chaotic and noisy.

  While everyone stood on the field and waited expectantly for the parade to begin, the security department was still urgently mobilizing manpower, and even mobilized a group of doctors from Sydney and the nearby New South Wales Parliament to be ready to deal with the unexpected.

  A total of at least 10 ships will be dispatched for this naval parade, including four armored cruisers, five shore protection frigates, and one shore defense gunboat.

  These three types of warships represent the current main warships of the Australian Navy, and are equipped with warships and patrol ships in large quantities.

  Compared to other countries, Australia's navy is completely one level lower. The coastal defense cruiser that is currently the main warship of the Australian Navy is only an auxiliary warship of the fleet in other countries, and Australia does not have a single battleship that is truly the main force of the world's navy.

  Of course, this is not because Australia did not have the strength to equip battleships. On the contrary, Australia has now mastered the technology of independent construction of a capital battleship, and has even negotiated the construction of a battleship for the island nation in the treaty with the island nation.

  However, the current battleships seem to be a bit high and not low, although the current possession of battleships can indeed greatly improve the strength level of the navy, and can also make people satisfied with the strength of the navy.

  But how long can such a battleship be glorious? In 1906, the dreadnought would be born, just over three years after now.

  It takes a year or two to build a warship, and is it necessary to spend millions of pounds to build a battleship that can only be used for a year or two?

  When the time comes, when all countries around the world start the construction program of dreadnoughts, the former dreadnoughts built by Australia will also be reduced to scrap metal.

  It is better to wait directly until three years later, and start the big launch of the navy. The construction of dreadnoughts began in full swing, and there is hope that it will have an impact on the current world naval class.

While such a plan is indeed beneficial, it can only barely reach all Australians for a short time.

  Although Arthur and the officials were well aware, the Australians attached great importance to the navy, and even the launch of even a small armored cruiser attracted a lot of attention from Australians.

  But there is no way, in order to prevent the country from losing millions of pounds in vain, it can only make this decision for the time being.

  However, although the construction plan of battleships needs to be put on hold for the time being, these small and medium-sized warships do not.

  In the future, these warships could be used as auxiliary warships of dreadnoughts, and a powerful dreadnought could form a fleet of battleships.

  And the cost of these small and medium-sized warships is very cheap, even the profits from arms trade with island countries are enough to build a dozen.

  In the hustle and bustle of the crowd waiting, the port bell finally rang for the first time.

  This is a large bell specially prepared for the National Day activities, and its ringing also represents the official start of the National Day activities on the third anniversary of the founding of Australia.

  As usual, the host of the National Day event was still Prime Minister Evan who was the prime minister at the time. After more than two years as prime minister, Prime Minister Evan's temperament has become stronger and stronger, and he has more of the flavor of those Western politicians.

  "Gentlemen and ladies. Welcome to the Sydney Harbour Naval Parade in Australia. Today is January 10, 1903, the third birthday of our great motherland, Australia. For this reason, on behalf of all members of the Government, I would like to welcome you all and extend my sincere greetings to our great Duke, His Royal Highness. If it weren't for His Royal Highness the Duke, I'm afraid that Australia would still be a region with six colonies. We still had a large part of our income going to the colonial government, and we couldn't easily and quickly travel to other states because the policy between the colonies was segregated. So, gentlemen, ladies. Let us say to His Royal Highness the Duke in the most sincere words: 'Long live His Royal Highness! Prime Minister Evan said as he stood on the stage with a respectful face.

  "Long live His Royal Highness the Duke!"

  With Prime Minister Evan leading the way, there was a deafening shout throughout the harbor and in all the stands, as if all Australians were announcing to God the merits of their esteemed Duke.

  Seeing that his guidance had been successful, Prime Minister Evan respectfully asked Arthur to say a few words.

  "Long live Australia!" Arthur's first sentence was nothing else, but a response to the shouts of the people just now.

  "Long live Australia! Long live His Royal Highness the Duke! ”

  At this moment, the shouts that had just fallen silent erupted again, even stronger than at the beginning.

  This is also Arthur's aim, to promote nationalism at a time that is acceptable to all Australians.

  Only when all Australians are united to form a new nation, and with a high level of national recognition, can Australia have a better chance of becoming a great power, and Arthur's rule will be more secure.

  The second more, ask for support!

(End of chapter)