Chapter 198 Exchange of Interests

July 25, 1905, the third day after Arthur arrived in Berlin.

After resting for more than a day, William II and Arthur started a formal exchange on Germany-Australia relations.

Compared with the incomplete cooperative alliance between the British Empire and the island countries, the cooperative relationship between Germany and Australia appears to be closer.

Arthur and William II communicated about cooperation between Australia and Germany, and also reached a proposal with William II to further deepen cooperation.

Of course, the proposal focuses primarily on training the Army. After forming a federation with New Zealand, Australia needs a strong army to protect the homeland security of Australia and New Zealand.

Of course, stabilizing domestic order is also a very important factor. A strong army is a powerful guarantee for the Australian government and royal family.

William II was naturally incompetent, and immediately promised to send some elite soldiers and officers from the German Army to help the Australian army train.

Although doing so will make the Australian Army more loyal to Germany, Australia does not have any conflict with Germany, so it will not affect it.

In addition to military training, Arthur also signed a new round of cooperation treaties on behalf of the Australian government and the German Imperial Government represented by William II.

Australia's industry is too superficial. Not only does it lack some relatively basic industries, it is also incapable of handling more sophisticated machinery.

Many times we rely on imports from Europe, which is not a long-term solution after all. Arthur decided to introduce a more complete industrial system from Germany and spend at least ten years to help Australia's industry develop more scientifically and systematically.

After discussing these cooperation plans, William II changed the topic and directly talked about the affairs of Australia and the Commonwealth of New Zealand.

"Arthur, do you plan to keep the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand alive?" William II suddenly asked, making Arthur confused for a moment.

"The union of New Zealand and Australia is not easy, and the demographic structure of the two regions is very similar, so they can exist permanently as a federal country." Arthur explained.

Although the federation is not perfect, the combined power of Australia and New Zealand is definitely much stronger than Australia alone.

After Australia and New Zealand united, they have become the overlord of Oceania, and they have exerted influence on other islands in Oceania from time to time.

It can be said that if the islands in the Pacific were not tightly controlled by Britain and France, I am afraid that the ownership of these islands would soon be transferred to Australia's name.

"No, that's not what I'm talking about, Arthur. I think Australia and New Zealand can exist in a better way, rather than as a binary country like the Austro-Hungarian Empire." William II explained with a smile. road.

The name of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is actually a combination of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, which also confirms that the political structure of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a union of two powerful countries.

The result of the union of the two countries is very good, creating a very powerful country.

But the upper limit only goes so far. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had a complicated ethnic distribution, and no single ethnic group had an absolute number of dominant ethnic groups.

In addition, the two important regions, the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, both had their own independent governments, and the decrees of the Austro-Hungarian Empire could not be implemented well.

This huge country was united by the great prestige of Emperor Franz, and it would also fall apart because of Emperor Franz's death.

Arthur instantly understood William II's meaning and took the initiative to ask: "Cousin, what do you mean?"

William II smiled and nodded, saying: "The Oceania region needs an absolutely unified country, which can even affect East Asia and the Far East. But doing so will also lead to Australia's participation in the world structure. In the future, Australia will want to remain silent Development depends on whether many major powers agree.”

A basically unified Oceania is bound to radiate more power to the outside world. The north of Oceania is Southeast Asia and East Asia, and the northwest is separated from India by the Indian Ocean.

This also means that Australia like this may be jealous of the British Empire. After all, everyone knows the importance of India to the British Empire.

"Germany is willing to support the complete reunification of Australia? Is this good for Germany?" Arthur then asked.

William II's attitude allowed Arthur to see the hope of Australia and New Zealand reunifying into one country, but what was Germany's reason for supporting Australian reunification? Is it just because of the good relations between Germany and Austria?

"Arthur, I don't want to hide it. Our negotiations with Russia have entered the final stage, and the German-Russian alliance is about to become a reality. But Russia does not fully believe in Germany's attitude towards supporting the Far East policy. Australia is An important part of Germany's support for Russia's Far East policy." William II pondered for a while before explaining: "The Russian side wants to understand Australia's attitude, and you, Arthur, may even determine the outcome of the Germany-Russia negotiations. "

Arthur nodded. If you say so, then it is understandable that Germany decisively agrees to further support Australia.

Arthur also did not expect that Australia is currently so important to the German-Russian negotiations, and can even affect the results of the German-Russian negotiations and the situation in Europe.

In theory, these are actually Germany's core secrets, and Arthur should not be told so casually.

But as Arthur goes to Russia, the progress and process of the German-Russian negotiations will definitely be known to Arthur.

By then, Arthur will still be clear about the importance of Australia in the German-Russian negotiations and Australia's influence on the European situation.

Therefore, William II did not intend to hide it, and being frank could win Arthur's favor.

Moreover, after several contacts, William II also understood that Arthur was an ambitious person, not an ordinary teenager.

Australia chose a completely different policy from Britain in the Russo-Japanese War, which actually confirmed William II's point of view.

Germany can provide more technical assistance and support the merger of Australia and New Zealand, and treat each other so frankly.

As for the British Empire, if Australia and New Zealand merge into a new kingdom, it means that Australia and New Zealand will completely break away from the control of the British Empire.

Arthur will become the king of the new kingdom, not a duke separated from the British Empire.

The British Empire will also lose its sovereignty over Australia. Apart from the blood relationship that still exists, the British Empire and Australia will completely embark on different paths.

If the current British ruler is still Queen Victoria, William II believes that the British Empire will agree to the merger of Australia and New Zealand. Queen Victoria will even personally bless Arthur and attend Arthur's new coronation ceremony.

But unfortunately, the current ruler of Britain is Edward VII, a stingy and selfish person.

At least that's the case in William II's eyes, and the limited assistance the British Empire provides to Australia can also confirm this.

William II is confident that Arthur will choose Germany. Whether in terms of personal relationships or national interests, Germany can give Australia much more than the British Empire at present.

"If it is just to provide weapons and industrial products, Australia is certainly willing to trade with Russia. But Australia's current military strength is still very weak, and it has no intention of personally participating in disputes around the world." Arthur thought for a while and replied.

What does the merger of Australia and New Zealand represent? It means that Arthur will personally establish a new kingdom and become the first ruler of a new kingdom.

Although there is only one level difference between the duke and the king, the prestige and dignity brought by the title are definitely not something that can be described in words and text.

Although this new kingdom does not have sufficient legal basis, as long as it is recognized by most of the powers in the world, who would object?

As long as time goes by, everyone will accept this new country and naturally accept Arthur as the new king.

In the case that Australia does not directly participate in the dispute, Arthur is still willing to agree to Germany's conditions.

After all, what Germany gives are practical benefits that can accelerate the development of Australia's industry and technology.

Nothing is more powerful than Australia to make Arthur more excited. In this relatively chaotic and turbulent era, the country he rules has stronger strength, which is the foundation for maintaining his ruling position.

"Of course, Arthur. After all, this is still a European dispute. Australia is far away in Oceania and has no need to participate in person. If the German-Russian alliance can be realized, then the powerful German army will be able to flatten Paris and Versailles in a short time. If this day can be realized, I will hold a grand celebration in Versailles to make the whole world moved by the strength of the German Empire!" William II said with a smile.

William II's purpose of winning over Australia at the beginning was to let Australia harass the rear of the French colonies during the war and tie up some of France's energy.

But if the German-Russian alliance can be realized, Germany will not have to worry about the problems on the Eastern Front, and will directly fight on a single front and use all its main forces to destroy the French army.

Doing so will greatly reduce the logistical pressure of the German army and make William II's idea of ​​holding a celebration in Versailles hopeful.

In this way, it doesn't matter whether Australia participates in the war or not. William II is very confident in the army of the German Empire, and can easily suppress the French army even on the front battlefield.

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