Chapter 659

London, the British government has been busy since the news of the outbreak of the Russian-Prussian War.

Prime Minister Benjamin: "What, you want to expand the army again?"

Minister of the Army Fox solemnly reminded: "Your Excellency Prime Minister, we have not expanded our army for many years. Except for the war period, the army establishment has not increased for nearly 50 years."

Benjamin replied embarrassedly: "Sorry, I made a mistake. Tell me the reason, why did you think of expanding the army?"

The presence of the British Army is too low, and the navy is usually required to expand the army. Suddenly receiving the Army's application for military expansion, Prime Minister Benjamin used "again" habitually.

Fox is used to this situation. Such is the position of the British Army that it is rarely a matter of government attention except when needed.

"The Russian-Prussian war broke out, and the situation in Europe is about to be reshuffled. We need a strong army to deal with emergencies."

Chancellor of the Exchequer Garfield Bromley Angelon objected: "No, the situation in Europe is still under our control. As long as the Fau balance is not broken, there will be no problems.

Moreover, even if the balance of Europe and the continent is broken, I don't think that expanding the army will change anything. "

As harsh as it is, it's true. The Austrian standing army is more than 600,000, and the French standing army is close to 500,000.

The two countries, Prussia and Russia, who are at war, have mobilized millions of troops, and the total number of troops on the battlefield alone exceeds 1.2 million.

How big is the British standing army?

136,000!

Of course, this is not the entire armament of the British Empire. In the vast colony, the British still have 500,000 to 600,000 colonial troops, as well as several civilian armed groups.

However, the combat effectiveness of the colonial army was notoriously low. When considering European issues, people habitually ignore these troops.

Fox's face darkened instantly, this was a blatant provocation. In the last few wars, the army's performance has not been very good, so he has no confidence to speak.

No matter what the combat effectiveness of the army is, Fox, as Minister of the Army, must maintain the dignity of the army, and immediately asked, "Your Excellency, are you doubting the combat effectiveness of the army?"

Doubt that the combat effectiveness of the army is okay, but if you say it so blatantly, it will not work. Compared with the Royal Navy, the British Army is a little brother, but there is also a large group of people behind this little brother.

For one sentence, offending such a large group of people is obviously not the act of a wise man.

Realizing the blunder, Garfield immediately remedied: "No, I never meant to doubt the combat effectiveness of the Army.

What I mean is that the number of the army is too small, and there is no way to compare it with the European countries.

As an island nation, it has been decided that Britain's center of gravity must be placed on the sea. In this context, the amount of power we can put into the Army is very limited. "

After listening to this explanation, Fox's expression softened a little: "It is precisely because of the gap that we have to catch up and narrow the gap with Fao.

The size of our army is totally incommensurate with Britain's international standing. Don't talk about shocking Fao, even a third-rate country dares to despise us. "

After reading the document, Prime Minister Benjamin took up a pen and circled a number on it to stop the quarrel between the two: "Sir Fox, your military expansion plan has exceeded reality.

History has proven that Britain does not have the strength to compete for hegemony in Europe, and maintaining a balance is the best choice.

To achieve this goal, diplomacy is the core, the Army does not need to use Fao as an imaginary enemy, which is beyond our ability. "

Faced with this situation, Fox was unmoved, and this is not the first time that military expansion has been rejected. Something like this happens almost every year.

The military does not want to expand the army, especially the army raised by the stepmother. Pass it or not, try it every year at the end of the year.

It is not expected to achieve all the goals, as long as the establishment of a regiment can be increased, it is a great victory.

"Prime Minister, even if you don't consider the situation in Europe, the colony can't ignore it, right? In recent years, the pressure on the colony has been increasing.

Especially in the Indian colonies, we are still preparing to use troops against Afghanistan and Persia.

If the army is not expanded, the colonial army alone may not be able to complete the government's plan. "

Benjamin frowned, Austria expanded its power to the Persian Gulf region, and they also felt the pressure.

In order to curb Austria's expansion, the London government formulated a Persian strategy, preparing to occupy the Persian region before Austria finished digesting the Arabian Peninsula.

As for the Afghan strategy, that is an issue left over from history. As a world hegemon, John Bull also wants to save face. He failed to invade Afghanistan a few years ago, and naturally he has to find his way back.

When the Russian-Prussian War broke out, the energy of the tsarist government was contained in Europe, which was a good opportunity to start. If you wait for the Russians to recover, and then try to seize this place, it will not be as simple as it is now.

Seeing the Prime Minister's move, Admiral John Vassil immediately dismantled the platform and said: "With the current size of the Army, it is indeed impossible to complete so many tasks.

But we still have time. After Austria digested the Arabian Peninsula, their next target should be the Ottoman Empire. Before the fall of the Ottomans, we don't have to worry about them competing with us for Persia.

The same is true in Afghanistan, where the Prussian-Russian war will not end for a while. We need to worry about this threat only if the tsarist government wins the war.

As things stand, the chances of the Russians wanting to win the war easily are almost nil. After this war, the tsarist government will have to cultivate for at least ten years.

Such a long time has been enough for us to do a lot. If the Army can't get the job done, we Marines can do it for you. "

Suppressing the army is the core strategy of the Royal Navy, and its importance is no less than the suppression of France and Austria, or even more important.

Insufficient troops?

After the outbreak of the war, temporary expansion will do, so why increase the establishment!

From the Navy's point of view, the Army is superfluous. It is enough to have the Royal Navy and colonial troops for overseas expansion; it is enough to have the police to maintain local law and order. What is the Army used for?

Even if it is to suppress the rebellion, the marines can still be on board! The big deal is to expand the establishment, and there is no need for the army to join in the fun.

Of course, this is just a thought. No matter how unpopular the Army is, it is impossible for the London government to abolish it.

The simplest checks and balances are still clear to everyone. If there is no army, wouldn't the country's military power fall into the hands of the navy.

Benjamin nodded: "Let's put this issue on hold and discuss it later. If the War Department has any doubts, it can be directly submitted to the parliament for discussion.

Now let's talk about the Prussian-Russian War. This war seems to be limited to Eastern Europe, but it has actually affected the world situation. "

The parliament is the best shield. When any issue comes to the parliament, it is not possible to discuss the results in a day or two. It can be called the best weapon for delaying time.

Foreign Secretary Edward: "The Russian-Prussian War is arguably the largest war in European and even human history.

According to the information from the embassy, ​​the total force mobilized by Prussia and Russia is about to exceed 3 million. Perhaps it will not be long before both sides will invest millions of troops to fight.

It is really hard to imagine that this is just Prussia and Russia. If France and Austria are mobilized, I am afraid it will be even more terrifying.

The war has just begun, and no one knows the outcome. The only thing that is certain is that this war will be very brutal, and millions of people may be killed. "

When he spoke, Edward still had some lingering fears. Before the outbreak of the war, no one thought that Prussia and Prussia would be so crazy.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Garfield directly complained: "It's all a bunch of lunatics!"

Prime Minister Benjamin waved his hand and said casually: "It doesn't matter whether Prussia and Russia are crazy or not, the key is the chain reaction brought about by the war, and what benefits can we gain from this change in the international situation?

Not to mention the trade, everyone knows that the arms dealers are going to make a fortune. Let's talk about the changes in the situation in Europe and the world. "

Foreign Minister Edward smiled lightly: "It's not that serious. If the situation in Europe changes, although it is still uncertain, as long as France and Austria want to maintain stability, it can be suppressed.

The world situation has less impact. Although Prussia and Russia are not weak, they are not colonial empires, and their influence is mainly in Eurasia.

At most, the Far East will be affected to some extent, but the ruler of Sirius is too weak, even if the Russians have no time to look east, most of them will not dare to act rashly.

In fact, we can just pick up coffee, eat cakes, and watch Prussia and Russia fight. We really don’t need to do anything! "

Britain has the confidence to eat melons, and no matter what the outcome of the Russian-Prussian war is, their interests will not be affected.

Colonial Secretary Robert shook his head: "No, we can still do something. Everyone's eyes are drawn to Eastern Europe, then the South American war can go according to our script.

Before the end of the Prussian-Russian war, I thought Austria and Austria would not care about making trouble for us. The Chileans took a big advantage this time. "

The navies of Prussia and Russia are not very good. As a maritime country, Britain can be happy and rich in war, but France and Austria, which are on the mainland, cannot.

The European continent is too small to squeeze so many great powers, and it is impossible for France and Austria to allow new great powers to rise and squeeze their own interests.

Whether it is Austria or France, they must maintain their attention now, staring at the Eastern European battlefield, and be ready to intervene in this war at any time.

In order to ensure the investment of strength in the European continent, France and Austria will naturally ignore the South American region in a short period of time. Bolivia and Peru are considered tragedies.

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