"The Italians still claim their loyalty to the Triple Alliance. But the problem is that they also want to maintain their traditional friendship with Britain and France. The Triple Alliance had obligations for defensive wars, but the Italians believed that Austria-Hungary was currently engaged in a war of aggression without consulting the Italians in advance, and that even if the Russians intervened in the war, the Italians would not be obligated to do anything, and Italy would remain neutral in this war. Prime Minister Bateman replied.

While the Italians' words seem reasonable, they are complete farts in comparison to Germany's unwavering support for Austria-Hungary.

The reason why the Italians did not fulfill their alliance obligations was that they wanted to be a wall between the Central and Entente powers and enter the war in a more secure way.

Wilhelm II shook his head disdainfully and said, "The Bible says that it is completely impossible for one servant not to serve two masters, much less to serve three masters." There is a high probability that Italy will join the British and French sides, and I hope you will all be able to see this clearly. Even if we never had this ally, we would still have won the war without it. I have made up my mind to go to war against Russia and France, and nothing can stop us. ”

On July 31, 1914, the German government declared that Germany had entered a dangerous state of threatened war.

In the afternoon, the German government again issued an ultimatum to Russia, demanding that the Russian government cancel the general mobilization within 12 hours, otherwise Germany and Russia would enter a state of war.

But Russian Foreign Minister Shazonov replied: "For technical reasons, it is not possible to stop the general mobilization order in Russia." ”

The Germans, naturally, did not believe such from the Russians. Almost on the same day that the ultimatum was issued to Russia, Germany sent a note to the French government, asking whether France would maintain strict neutrality after the war between Germany and Russia, and asking the French government to reply within 18 hours.

And, if France agreed to maintain strict neutrality, Germany also proposed, provocatively, that France hand over the fortresses of Tours and Verdun to Germany as a guarantee of neutrality.

Naturally, the French would not agree to such a request, and French Prime Minister Viviani said: France will act in accordance with its own interests.

On the same day that such a reply was made, the French government also issued a general mobilization order, which was also equivalent to a tough statement to the German government.

On August 1, 1914, the German government, which no longer waited, officially issued a war notice to Russia, and Germany and Russia officially entered a state of war.

Only the next day, Germany issued an ultimatum to the Belgian government, demanding that Belgium allow Germany to enter its territory and fight against the French army, which Belgium refused.

On August 3, Germany declared war on France and Belgium, and the flames of war officially burned to Western Europe.

On 4 August, the German vanguard had reached the Belgian border and invaded Belgian territory.

It was also on this day that Britain declared war on Germany under the pretext of breaking Belgian neutrality with Germany.

Australasia also declared war on Germany at this time, citing obligations with Britain, France, and Russia.

On 6 August, Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia, and it was all the countries representing the Central and Entente powers (except the wallheads) that entered a state of war against the enemy.

After the mobilization of various countries began, the number of soldiers participating in the war also reached its peak.

3.82 million Germans, 2.3 million Austria-Hungary, 5.34 million Russians, 3.78 million French, 660,000 British Expeditionary Force, 380,000 Belgian, 380,000 Serbian, 320,000 Australasian Expeditionary Force, adding up to more than 20 million combat troops, will be assembled throughout Europe in a short period of time to start one of the most brutal wars in human history, World War I.

As early as August 3, 1914, the day before Australasia declared war, Arthur convened an emergency meeting to discuss when Australasia would declare war and what pretexts it should use to declare war.

It so happened that shortly after the conference, news came that Germany had declared war on France and Belgium.

With the pretext for war, Australasia's declaration of war became a matter of course.

At the same time, Australasia's battle plan in the war was also brought up again by Arthur.

According to the plan of the Ministry of Defense Staff, Australasia could also have at least five divisions of deployable troops after sending 300,000 colonial troops and one regular division.

The main operational plan of these five divisions was to move north to capture German New Guinea, German Samoyed, German Caroline, German Micronesia, German Mariana Islands, and German Palau.

By capturing these areas, Australasia will not only be able to unite New Guinea, but also fill the existing gaps in the defensive chain.

It is no exaggeration to say that Australasia will also become the only country in Oceania, and continental hegemony is not just talking.

After the complete reunification of Oceania, Australasia will have a unique geographical advantage, as long as it can make up for the population problem, the foundation of the future superpower has been basically determined.

For Australasia, combat missions were supposed to be the least of the four Entente powers.

Because the war did not involve Australasia itself, the Australasian army only needed to cooperate with the British and French armies to fight and have completed all the tasks.

As for the offensive in Oceania, the Germans had less than a division of garrisons in these two colonies combined, and they did not yet have a full-scale navy, so they could not be an opponent of Australasia at all.

Even many of Germany's colonies in the Pacific sent only a few officials and agricultural personnel to swear sovereignty, but most of these people numbered in the range of a few dozen to a hundred.

This also means that Australasia was probably the fastest country to complete the expansion in World War I, except for New Guinea, which took a certain amount of time, and the other colonies only had to go to receive it.

However, this cabinet meeting is not limited to discussing this.

Although the mission of war in Australasia seems simple, war is brutal and it is not easy to actually fight.

In order to better deal with such a huge super war, which has been participated by six powers, Australasia must also make arrangements in advance for various situations, including the allocation of resources, the maintenance of domestic order, and so on.

"How's our supplies going? What is the progress of the propaganda of public opinion and the handling of immigrants? Arthur inquired about the current progress of the government's work.

In times of war, material and domestic stability are paramount. It is necessary not only to ensure the daily necessities of all residents, but also to ensure that there is no unrest in the country.

"Your Majesty, the preparation of public opinion has long been completed, and according to our survey, at present, the vast majority of Australasian people agree with war. Those who disagreed, mostly German immigrants. Foreign Secretary Dai Ze reported.

"Always keep an eye on the movements of these German immigrants and, if you can, give them as much compensation as possible. And, do your best to ensure that German immigrants are not treated unfairly at home, and in any case, all Australasian people are one, and we are all one people, Australasian people. Arthur nodded and commanded.

The war between Australasia and Germany was certainly something that these German immigrants did not want to see. But things have developed so far that this war is inevitable.

So what Arthur and the Australasian government were able to do was to make sure that German immigrants were not subjected to any prejudice at home.

The ethnic structure of Australasia was dominated by British immigrants and Russian immigrants, and Germany and the two countries were bound to enter a state of war.

As a result, immigrants of German origin, who were not numerically predominant, were likely to suffer from the common hostility of immigrants of British origin and immigrants of Russian origin.

Arthur did not want to see such a thing happen, which could have undermined Arthur's vision of a unified Australasian nation.

"I understand, Your Majesty. The Ministry of Livelihood will always monitor the situation of these German immigrants and ensure that all our people are treated fairly at all times. Philip, Minister of People's Livelihood, nodded hurriedly.

"From now on, Australasia's economy is in a state of wartime. No individual or force may export any materials to the outside world for any reason or pretext. The goods of the inhabitants would be purchased by the government and then sold to the Entente powers. Arthur continued.

The wartime economy allowed for a better concentration of Australasia's resources, while also preventing Australasia's resources from falling into the hands of the Allies.

Anyway, after the outbreak of the war, the Entente was short of supplies and equipment, and the materials purchased from the people could also be sold to the Central Powers at a higher price.

"Your Majesty, do we need to mobilize to deal with the changes in the war?" Defense Secretary Raul asked.

Australasia's current army size is 200,000 Guards, Regular Troops, and 300,000 Colonial Troops.

At present, there is too much difference between the number of armies of Australasia and other powers, and the population of Australasia can support Australasia to expand its army to more than one million.

"Not necessary for the time being." Arthur said: "We have enough troops to fight in Europe at the moment, and we still have a lot of troops to carry out the battle plan in Oceania. For the time being, the number of our troops is sufficient, and there is no need to put too much burden on the finances for the time being. ”

The combat mission in Australasia was not large, and Arthur was not willing to mobilize again, using his own blood for the blood transfusion of Britain and France.

"Despite the imminent state of war, I want the lives of people in Australasia to remain as stable as possible. We cannot afford a war that has little to do with us to cause heavy losses at home and a significant decline in the quality of life of the people. Arthur added.

Australasia will participate in this war, and to win, does not mean that Australasia will do its best to help Britain and France reduce casualties.

Achieving greater results with fewer casualties is what Australasia should be doing at the moment.

"In times of war, the Crown will contribute to the annual Crown to raise the standard of living of Australasian people. Ladies and gentlemen, let us work together to deal with this super-war, which has the potential to affect all of Europe. All the affairs of the war also need the joint efforts of all of you, for the sake of Australasia, but also for ourselves, for the sake of all the people living in Australasia, to win this damn war, so that the world can usher in the peace it deserves as soon as possible. At the end of the meeting, Arthur stood up, looked at everyone, and said righteously.

"I declare that Australasia will enter a wartime cabinet state throughout the war. Elections for the Cabinet Government are temporarily suspended, and this Cabinet Government will remain in place until the end of the war. Elections for the state and house of representatives will not be affected and will take place as scheduled. From now on, the government should be prepared for war and handle all matters more perfectly. Arthur continued.

"At the end of the war, I will personally reward you for your deeds. Titles and riches will be awarded to every hero in battle. Inform Britain, France, and Russia that Australasia will declare war on Germany tomorrow, fulfilling Australasia's obligations and joining the war. ”

It would be good for all Cabinet members to be able to remain in the Cabinet and have a good chance of being rewarded handsomely after the war.

As a result, the Cabinet officials are also very energetic, and they seem to have done their best and died.

3,400 words for the third update, ask for a monthly pass, ask for support!

If you are late, write more than 400 words, which is considered compensation.

(End of chapter)