Chapter 338 Reserve Military Service System

The year 1912, which has just passed, can be regarded as full of crises, but it was safe.

In this year, the Italo-Turkish War, the Balkan War, the more intense naval arms race, etc., accompanied by a small Strait crisis, made the European situation even more confusing.

Although people don't know when the European war will come, Europe has already quietly filled with the smell of gunpowder.

The National Day in 1913 was very ordinary compared to the past, but after all, there was free food and meat distribution, so the streets and alleys of Australasia were very lively.

Just after the National Day holiday, Arthur summoned Prime Minister Kent and Defense Minister Raul to inquire about Australasia's military preparations.

The military expansion of European countries is very rapid. Not only has the regular army of the army been expanded, but also various laws are being revised to increase the number of army reserves.

Although Australasia is far away in Oceania, the future war is also very important for Australasia. It is not only the real start of the country's rise, but also the best opportunity to truly control the entire Oceania.

In order for Australasia to gain more international voice after World War I, it is necessary to become a victorious country in World War I.

Although strict neutrality can achieve better development, a neutral country is destined not to have too much voice.

If Arthur had to choose one of the two major military groups in Europe, it would definitely be the Allies, which seemed stronger on paper.

In terms of emotion and reason, the Allies are a better choice for Arthur.

First of all, Australasia and the British Empire have a closer blood relationship. The two countries are of the same origin, so there are naturally reasons to be closer.

Secondly, Arthur has experience from later generations, so he naturally understands which side will have the last laugh in this war.

The Allies have a wider range of colonies and population. Although they won the final victory in the war when Russia withdrew from the war halfway.

Theoretically, as long as Australasia participated in World War I and declared war on the Central Powers from the perspective of the Allies, it would be natural to take over German New Guinea, merge the colonies in the New Guinea region into one, and even go west directly to merge the originally three-part New Guinea into one, and establish a larger direct colony.

Theoretically, it is also possible to send troops to participate in the war in exchange for some concessions from Britain and France in the Oceania colonies.

In this way, Australasia can control the entire Oceania and become a true intercontinental hegemon.

In the conference room of Sydney Palace, Arthur summoned Prime Minister Kent and Minister Raul to discuss Australasia's military preparations.

"Minister Raul, how are our military preparations? If a European war breaks out in the future, how many troops can we mobilize to participate in the European war at most?" Arthur asked solemnly.

Arthur's original plan was to be a fence-sitter in the early stage and sell arms to both sides. Wait until the war situation becomes clear before joining the advantageous side.

But after thinking about it, such fence-sitting behavior is too embarrassing. What's more, Britain and France are still the world's top powers after the end of World War I. If the United States is avoided from sucking Europe's blood during World War I, then the United States will have no say after World War I, and the world will still be dominated by Europe.

This is also good for Australasia, because if Germany is defeated, the United Kingdom will be in direct competition with the United States.

And if Australasia wants to rise and gain hegemony in the Pacific, the enemy it faces is the United States.

In this way, Australasia can not only cooperate with Britain and France in World War I, but also become an ally of Britain and France in World War II.

As the saying goes, you get what you sow. Compared with the previous attitude of sitting in the well and watching, only by really contributing to victory can Australasia gain more voice.

Of course, the end is the end, and Arthur is not stupid enough to shed his own blood to contribute to Britain and France.

Anyway, Australasia has a large indigenous population, and these people can just form an indigenous army to replace the Australasians to die.

"Your Majesty, we currently have 220,000 standing troops. Because our reserve system is not mature, if you want more soldiers, you must undergo at least half a year of training. According to our domestic enthusiasm for joining the army, our total number of soldiers is about 1 million." Minister Raul thought carefully for a while before answering carefully.

"Reserve?" Arthur nodded, looked at Prime Minister Kent, and asked: "Do we have the conditions to formulate laws on reserve and military source systems? If compulsory military service is implemented in Australasia, how many potential soldiers can be obtained?"

"Your Majesty, under normal circumstances, if we implement compulsory military service in Australasia, we should be able to obtain nearly one million reserve troops. According to your Majesty's prestige among the people, I am afraid that this number can be increased." Prime Minister Kent said with a smile.

One advantage of a monarch with high prestige and popular support is that any policy will be supported by the people.

Australasia is basically not short of soldiers. As long as Arthur raises his arm, I am afraid that millions of people are willing to sign up for the army.

Of course, although Australasia, with a population of 12 million, can recruit millions of troops, the loss to national development is too great and it is a burden that Arthur cannot bear.

"There is no need to be so exaggerated, Prime Minister Kent. But in any case, increasing the number of our reserves is what must be done. Although I don't know when the European war will start, in order to allow Australasia to purchase further, perhaps we have to Participate in this avoidable war," Arthur quickly stopped Prime Minister Kent's exaggerated statement and explained with a smile.

Although Australasia may have to surrender to one of the two major military groups, there is no need to fight to the death.

Just because Australasia is geographically far away from Europe, it is destined that the mainland of Australasia will not be threatened.

Under such circumstances, how could Arthur exhaust Australasia's potential for the sake of Britain and France?

"If this is the case, Your Majesty, I suggest that we only need to require some adult male citizens who are over 18 years old and under 30 years old to participate in military training once a year, and they can become good reserve forces." Prime Minister Kent Said: "If we do not have the idea of ​​sending a large-scale army, then I think 220,000 regular troops and 300,000 reserve troops are enough to ensure that we can ensure the security of our homeland at any time."

Arthur nodded and said in agreement: "Let's set the scope to adult male citizens in non-important positions. Military training will be held every six months or every year, and the training time will be at least half a month. During the training, these people can be trained People provide funds equivalent to their per capita income as compensation for their participation in militarized training.”

If you can get paid for participating in military training, then no one would refuse.

Anyway, becoming a reserve force only requires training once or twice a year, which basically does not delay normal work and life.

"Have all the experts the British promised us arrived? If I remember correctly, their diplomatic team should be arriving soon, right?" After deciding on the reserve matter, Arthur smiled and looked at Prime Minister Kent and asked .

When selling airship technology to the UK before, the two parties made an appointment to dispatch experts.

The British government has also reached an agreement with Australasia. The British government will send a diplomatic team to visit Australasia and reach an agreement on further cooperation between the two countries.

This actually represents that Australasia has once again taken a step closer to the UK. If the German aid that Australasia received before was much greater than the British aid, then since George V came to power, Australasia has been closer to the British, and the British aid to Australasia has gradually increased. exceeds the size of German aid.

Even now, the scale of British aid is far greater than that of German aid. Australasia and the United Kingdom have good exchanges in warships, military industry, industry, chemical industry, education, medical care, talent, food, etc.

It is no exaggeration to say that Australasia is an important strategic partner of the British Empire, providing the British Empire with various mineral resources, food, meat and other materials.

In fact, it can be seen from the map that the geographical location of Australasia is very important to the British Empire.

Australasia is located in Oceania, and to the north it can effectively protect the Strait of Malacca under the control of the British Empire, which is the main thoroughfare for exchanges between East Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and even Europe.

Australasia and India are separated by the Indian Ocean. India is the core of the British Empire's colonies and the region that the British Empire cannot afford to lose.

The security issue in India alone is enough for the British to pay enough attention to Australasia.

Even across the Indian Ocean, Australasia poses a certain threat to eastern and southern Africa.

This also greatly increased the importance of Australasia, a geographical location that could threaten the colonial core of the British Empire.

In addition, since the last meeting, the British government has established its core policy of abandoning island countries and supporting Australasia. It also hopes to get closer to Australasia and jointly fight against the hidden enemy of the United States.

Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that the UK sends a diplomatic team.

"Your Majesty, the experts promised to us by the British have basically arrived, and the last remaining batch should arrive with the British diplomatic team. Thanks to these British experts, the expansion of our two major shipyards has been very rapid. It's going well, and the Melbourne shipyard is even expected to start production in the middle of next year," Prime Minister Kent nodded and said with a smile.

The British have made great efforts to expand the two shipyards in Australasia.

From the shipyard's expansion design, to the shipyard's various equipment and machinery, as well as the shipyard's various technical experts, the British are all present.

Under the guidance of these British experts, the expansion of the Melbourne Shipyard and Auckland Shipyard is also progressing smoothly. The Melbourne Shipyard is expected to complete the expansion in mid-1914, and the Auckland Shipyard is expected to complete the expansion from the end of 1914 to early 1915.

This also means that around 1915, Australasia will have one shipyard capable of building 30,000-ton warships, and two shipyards capable of building 20,000-ton warships.

Coupled with the help of British experts, even the most advanced Hope-class battleship in Australasia can be built at the Melbourne and Auckland shipyards.

Of course, there are still at least two years to go before that period, which also means that within two years, the Australasian Navy will not expand significantly.

Arthur is actually waiting for the military factories and shipyards to develop the 381mm caliber main gun.

With the technology of the 343mm caliber main gun, plus the help of many British military experts, I believe that the 381mm main gun will be born sooner or later.

"The specifications for welcoming the British visiting team must be taken seriously. The British are our most important partners, and we have the closest relationship with the British." Arthur instructed.

If you want to continue to expand in Southeast Asia and the islands of Oceania, it is necessary to obtain the support of the British.

Moreover, if Australasia wants to take over the German colonies in Oceania, it must also be approved by Britain and France.

"I understand, Your Majesty. I will receive the British delegation according to the highest standards. The most luxurious hotel in Sydney has already prepared the best rooms, waiting for our guests to move in." Prime Minister Kent nodded.

After all, the British are still the world's number one power. Their diplomatic missions will receive the highest local reception wherever they go.

What's more, Australasia and Britain share the same roots. Even if Arthur didn't order it, Prime Minister Kent would prepare the highest reception etiquette for the British delegation.

"Minister Raul, I hope the Ministry of Defense can come up with a plan report on expanding the number of colonial divisions as soon as possible. I hope that before 1915, we can have at least 15 colonial divisions and let them have certain combat capabilities." After instructing Prime Minister Kent, Arthur looked at Minister Raul again and said.

The number of soldiers in a colonial division is nearly 20,000, and 15 colonial divisions means nearly 300,000 soldiers.

But this is actually not much. After all, Australasia currently has millions of indigenous people, and it is no problem to draw 300,000 adult indigenous people to form 15 colonial divisions.

If nothing unexpected happens, the 300,000 troops composed of these 15 colonial divisions will become the expeditionary force of Australasia, replacing the regular troops of Australasia to enter the war.

Of course, regular troops must also be dispatched, but there are not so many. For Arthur, no matter how many native divisions died, he would not feel bad, but once the regular divisions suffered serious casualties, Arthur would really feel pain.

Only one update today.

I have some unfortunate news. My father-in-law is not in good health and can't breathe. The author bought a ticket for the day after tomorrow. From the day after tomorrow, there may be only one or two updates (try to reach 5,000 words, at least 4,000 words). I will compensate you after I finish this busy period!