In October 1914, in the British Empire, at No. 10 Downing Street, a high-level meeting targeting the Germans was being held.

"The Germans announced that the army will expand by 300,000 to cope with the crisis. Winston, what do you think?" Prime Minister Asquith first asked Winston's opinion.

It's not that Winston is so convincing, but that as a representative of the radicals, Winston will definitely speak the language Asquith hopes.

"This is lies and deception, Germany is preparing for war!" Winston stood up in surprise and said excitedly.

"The German standing army only has 790,000 people. This expansion plan will increase by 300,000 people, an increase of 39%. However, they claim that this is just to tide over the crisis."

"There has never been a country that expanded its army by half with a peaceful attitude. Gentlemen, Germany's strength is not sufficient. It maintains a standing army of more than one million people and a huge fleet."

"Everyone should know how much the British Empire invests in military affairs every year. There is no reason for Germany to spend huge sums of money to support so many people in vain."

Winston made his argument, which was exactly what Asquith wanted.

No matter how inclined Asquith was to the peace faction, he even repeatedly intervened in naval negotiations and made certain compromises with the Germans in the hope of peace.

But when the balance of war is unbalanced and the possibility of peace becomes smaller and smaller, Asquith will decisively choose an approach that is in line with British interests.

The Germans' move to expand their army will inevitably lead to a break in the balance of power on the European continent, which will lead to more intense conflicts and even directly lead to a full-scale hot war.

Under such circumstances, the UK will inevitably not be able to sit back and pay attention as before.

"Sir Winston is right. There is no reason for the Germans to spend a lot of money to maintain an army they don't need." Asquith nodded and said with deep agreement.

The arms race between the two sides has been going on for more than ten years, with a large amount of money invested in war-related industries and promoting rapid progress in military technology.

The price of progress is that both sides are saddled with huge fiscal deficits.

Because the arms race is cost-effective. If the enemy has it, I will have it too, no matter what the cost.

Otherwise, if someone else has a certain technology, but you don't have it, it may be this tiny gap that will change the outcome of the war.

For example, regarding radar technology during World War II, Japanese warships did not have radars, but Americans did, resulting in the Japanese being always at a disadvantage in aircraft carrier battles.

"Marshal French, I wonder if you have any different opinions." Asquith turned and looked at Field Marshal Sir John French.

"I very much agree with Sir Winston's point of view." Sir French held the wine glass and nodded gently to express his position.

"There are only two possibilities for an army to suddenly expand on a large scale. The first is that it needs to face direct threats from external enemies."

"We know Germany's external environment very well. The romantic French are in chaos again. The atmosphere on the streets of Paris is just like it was more than 40 years ago, full of gunpowder."

"Although the Russian Empire has strengthened its troop deployment on the Western Front, the main forces have been transferred to the Southwest Army Group and pose no threat to Germany."

"As for... us, the British Empire, we have no reason to land in Germany, and the military arrangement of the Port of Hamburg does not allow us to land."

"I think the Royal Navy should have assessed the damage caused by landing in Hamburg. It should not be small."

"So, when the Germans expand their army, there is only one possibility left - war."

"They also have enough reasons. Large-scale economic fluctuations have caused a financial crisis in the Tsarist Empire, and they are seeking to solve it."

"The most important thing is that there is chaos in France, a revolution may be brewing, and the Germans can take this opportunity to launch an attack."

"The chaotic French are likely to be easily swept away by the Germans like they were in 1871. In that case, no country on the European continent can stop them...including us!"

Even before French finished speaking, he had already caused an uproar. From this perspective, the Germans were really preparing for a battle.

Time of day: There is internal chaos in France and Russia, and the ability of military dispatch is reduced.

Location: There seems to be no location.

Renhe: Germany has a large number of unemployed people and serious domestic conflicts, which happens to provide a large number of young and strong labor force for the army. Waging war can divert conflicts and pass on the crisis.

No matter how you look at it, the large-scale expansion of the Germans is a precursor to war.

"Okay gentlemen, be quiet." Asquith knocked on the table lightly and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw everyone's reaction.

"Noisy will not solve the German people's problems, but will waste precious time."

"Now, let's have an internal meeting on how we should respond to the Germans' massive military expansion."

As soon as Asquith finished speaking, Winston was the first to stand up.

Hesitation is a temporary internal meeting, so the atmosphere of this meeting is very relaxed. Basically everyone is sitting on the sofa in small groups.

Even when answering questions, he holds a teacup or red wine in one hand, crosses his legs, and expresses his opinions very elegantly.

Under this situation, Winston's sudden appearance seemed a bit abrupt, attracting everyone's attention unconsciously.

"No matter what the Germans want to do or how they propagandize, we should uphold the position of the British Empire."

"That is: the reason why Germany expanded its army is because of dissatisfaction with the British Empire's trade policy, and because careerists want to break the balance of Europe and take the opportunity to launch war and destroy peace."

When Winston said this, he paused and glanced at Asquith.

"That's right." Asquith raised his eyebrows, smiled and nodded.

"right!"

"Evil Germans!"

"So, these barbarians..."

Seeing that the Prime Minister agreed, others followed suit.

"Facing the German provocation, the British should respond in the same way, that is, the British Empire should also expand its army by 300,000 people to respond." Winston said confidently.

As soon as these words came out, the entire hall fell into a brief silence, and even Field Marshal John French couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

The British know the situation in Britain best. Let alone expanding the army by 300,000, expanding it by 1 million would not be a big deal - except for money.

Fortunately, Britain has money. The problem now is that if this money is spent, it will probably be wasted.

The British never considered themselves to be the main force against the Germans, at least on land.

As for the army represented by Marshal French, although he believes in the army of the British Empire, it is better not to fight the Germans if possible.

"Of course, considering the policies of the British Empire and actual strategic needs, we do not need to recruit so many troops."

"The symbolic reorganization of one or two divisions, and the recruitment of a dozen divisions from the colonies, are mainly to maintain pressure on the Germans."

"At the same time, the British Empire's tough measures will definitely win the support of voters, support the actions of allies, and give an account to our allies."

"No one can ever accuse the British Empire of not fulfilling its obligations as an ally."

Winston still delivered his speech passionately, this time there was no silence, and warm applause erupted in the small hall.

"Marshal French." After the applause ended, Asquith looked at Sir John French with questioning eyes.

"Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished ministers, I think Sir Winston's proposal is very feasible. What the British Empire needs to do now is not to fight, but to express its attitude."

"There are only one or two local army divisions, so the burden is not big. As for the colonial divisions, there won't be much of a burden."

"As for combat effectiveness...the Germans naturally have the French and Russians to deal with. There is no need for the British Empire to waste the lives of its soldiers in confrontations with other countries."

French thought for a while and said tactfully.

The euphemistic part is mainly about the combat effectiveness of the army.

French was a field marshal, but he was one of the representatives of the pessimists.

He is a field marshal who came out of the colonial cavalry. He has experienced many wars and observed many battles, including the Russo-Japanese War.

After witnessing the degree of modernization in the Russo-Japanese War, French once pessimistically believed that once the war started, the British Empire Army would be completely wiped out.

For this reason, Marshal French has always been pushing for the reform and modernization of the British Empire's army.

Thanks to the efforts of French and other pessimists, reforms began the year before last, but progress was slow.

Therefore, French did not want the British Empire's Army to directly confront the German Army. After all, the German Army's combat effectiveness was the best in the world.

French, like others in Britain, wanted the battle on land to be left to France and the battle on sea to Britain.

The British Army only needs to send a few people to make a difference.

"Perfect!"

"Let the French die!"

"Ahem! Germany!"

"Oh! Slip of the tongue, let the Germans die!"

"Then, this matter will be left to you, Marshal French, to take charge. It just so happens that you can train and recruit a new division according to the standards of the modern army you planned."

Asquith waved his hand to calm the commotion and handed over a thankless task to the Army.

After all, setting up a colonial army is a very troublesome matter. It does not depend on how many people are recruited, but on training.

Without certain training, these colonial troops will only disrupt local security, which is absolutely not allowed in Britain.

To achieve this in a short period of time, we can only mobilize existing troops, which will definitely offend many people.

Therefore, in order to compensate the Army and at the same time improve the Army's combat effectiveness, Asquith gave Field Marshal French very free rights.

"George, you have to pass on this news tomorrow. Don't deny it, let alone admit it."

"Winston, please contact our already distressed French allies and let them know that Britain is already taking practical actions to support the French."
Chapter completed!