Chapter 238 Intervention by the Great Powers (Additional Update 2)

After quietly listening to Minister Kent's report, Arthur smiled and nodded, saying: "Commander Fritz did a good job this time. I believe that after the support army is wiped out, the Portuguese should also consider whether to continue to fight with Australasia. Got it right."

The previous three colonies combined had only 3,000 regular Portuguese troops, and the Portuguese government had not yet realized the power of Australasia.

But things are different now. Although the specific size of this support army is not known, there are definitely tens of thousands of people.

Even excluding the native Africans who were used as cannon fodder, the number of Portuguese soldiers was definitely around 10,000.

You know, Portugal is not a populous country. Even so far, Portugal's population has only just exceeded six million.

The loss of these 10,000 Portuguese soldiers is definitely a huge hemorrhage for the Portuguese government. Even if it is not to the point of breaking the bones, it will at least give the Portuguese government a headache.

More importantly, even with the loss of more than 10,000 troops, the situation of the war still did not improve.

How many 10,000 men can Portugal lose? The colonies of Guangmao in Africa also require a large number of troops to be stationed. Portugal may not feel bad if the indigenous soldiers die, but the Portuguese casualties are real and can shake the country.

"Even if the Portuguese government still refuses to give up, I'm afraid they don't have much strength left." Minister Kent said with a smile: "According to our intelligence, Portugal has a total of 60,000 native troops and 80,000 colonial troops."

"Although it seems to have an army of up to 140,000, there are only no more than 80,000 Portuguese among them. Including the losses in the previous three wars, Portugal should have lost more than 10,000 Portuguese soldiers so far, plus Ten thousand indigenous troops. While retaining native and colonial garrison troops, Portugal can mobilize less than fifty thousand troops, which is no longer enough to pose a threat to us," Minister Kent said.

At this point, I have to praise the contribution of the Royal Security Intelligence Service and David, the European Royal Affairs Director.

Although it is not possible to obtain core confidential information, the military strength of major European countries is still roughly clear.

To put it bluntly, Portugal is a country with a population similar to that of Australasia, and its economy and industry may not have advantages.

Coupled with the long distance between Europe and the battlefield, Portugal's logistical burden was increased in disguise.

If Portugal still transports 20,000 to 20,000 troops, it will be defeated one by one by Australasia.

But at present, Portugal does not have more transport ships and fleets. It cannot allow soldiers to move from Europe to Asia. Then the army may not be able to reach Asia even after the war is over.

"But, Your Majesty, we still have an unsolved problem." Minister Kent said, looking at Arthur.

"You mean the Portuguese fleet?" Arthur frowned and asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It is impossible for the Portuguese army to match ours, but the current navy does have an advantage. If we cannot find a way to deal with their navy, our army in India may become a caged bird, and may even be The risk of their siege," Minister Kent said, nodding.

India and the mainland of Australasia are not connected, and the most important mode of transportation at present is sea transportation.

But if Portuguese warships blockaded the coast of Portuguese India, the only way to transport supplies to India would be airships.

However, airship transportation of supplies depends on weather and other reasons, and it is not 100% safe.

This can only be used as a special method. If you want to rely on airships to transport supplies, it is inevitably not safe.

"It is currently unrealistic to rely on our strength to deal with the Portuguese navy. Kent, do you have any good ideas?" Arthur asked with a frown.

"At present, there are two methods, both of which can solve the problems we are currently facing." Minister Kent said: "The first method is to invite European powers to intervene to end this war. We have good relations with Germany and Russia. Britain should and will not stand against us. Judging from the current relationship between Britain and France, France should not worry about it. Coupled with the public opinion from Europe, as long as these powers are on our side and achieve our needs. It’s not difficult.”

At this time, I have to praise Arthur for maintaining good relations with the major European powers.

Germany and Russia should support Australasia for Arthur's sake. Because of the blood relationship and Arthur's favorability in the UK, it was impossible for the UK to go against public opinion and stand on the opposite side of Australasia.

The remaining France cannot offend the above three countries for Portugal, so it is called intervention by the powers at best, but it is called forcing Portugal to negotiate peace at worst.

Arthur nodded and did not draw a conclusion directly, but continued to ask: "What about another way?"

Minister Kent looked at Arthur's face before continuing: "There is another method that is relatively more risky, and we may also get more benefits."

"Oh? Tell me."

"Your Majesty, the first battleship we built for Russia seems to be almost completed, right?" Minister Kent suddenly asked.

Arthur was stunned, and then understood what Minister Kent meant.

Of the two dreadnoughts built by Australasia for Russia, the first battleship, the Petropavlovsk, is almost completed and has entered the launch test stage.

Although the current actual performance has not been truly tested, this is a genuine dreadnought after all.

The Portuguese navy didn't even have a battleship, so it was naturally impossible for it to be a match for this dreadnought.

But the problem was that the Petropavlovsk was the first dreadnought built for Russia, and Russia and Australasia also had a good relationship.

Using this dreadnought privately would definitely undermine the trust between Russia and Australasia.

What's more, it would take some time for the Petropavlovsk to be completed, and there had been no tests or sea voyages, and the Australasian navy had not really operated the dreadnought, so the true strength that this battleship could exert remained to be considered.

This battleship would only be used when it was necessary, but Arthur did not intend to use it when the war was still in an advantageous position.

"Using the Petropavlovsk is not a good plan. Let's invite the European powers to intervene in the war! Contact Governor David and ambassadors of various countries to express our expectations for peace and our willingness to stop the war." Arthur finally chose the first method, at least while meeting Arthur's goals, there would not be too many accidents.

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