Chapter 509 Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

"Kitchener has been prepared, General." said the Admiralty. "He has been waiting for now."

Seeing that Charles was confused, the "Admiral of the Navy" further explained: "He supports me in launching the Battle of the Dardanelles. This is a conspiracy."

"You mean, he already knew that he would lose the Battle of the Dardanelles?" Charles didn't quite believe this.

"No." The "Minister of the Navy" shook his head: "But winning the Battle of the Dardanelles will have little impact on the army, but losing it will be a major benefit to the army."

Ciel thought for a moment and nodded slowly.

The Battle of the Dardanelles involved the main force of the British Royal Navy plus hundreds of thousands of colonial troops, but it was against a weak Ottoman Empire.

You should win the battle.

If they lose, the Royal Navy will lose face, and its focus will naturally shift to the army.

"In addition." "The Lord of the Admiralty" frowned and his whole face looked like a bitter gourd: "While we are thinking about how to defeat the Ottoman Empire, Kitchener has already started to obtain loans from the Americans!"

"American loans?" Charles was confused. Does this have a lot to do with the war?

The next second he thought: supplies, supplies!

Obtaining a loan from the United States can obtain supplies, and possessing supplies can control the army and lead the war, not only the French army, but also the British army.

"The Minister of the Navy" nodded slightly:

"I think you've guessed it."

"Americans have long been trying to maintain 'true neutrality' under the influence of the 'Monroe Doctrine'."

"Therefore, in principle, the United States cannot provide loans to the Allied Powers, let alone arms and supplies to the Allied Powers."

"But this line of defense was easily breached by Kitchener."

The "Admiral of the Navy" sighed softly and looked up at Ciel: "Do you know how he did it?"

Charles shook his head. He found that his business intelligence was too lacking. As a capitalist who was about to enter the US market, he didn't even know this.

"He opened a breakthrough through the American consortium." "The Lord of the Admiralty" said:

"It was a very smart move. For the first US$500 million arms order, the commission to the Morgan syndicate (Jewish syndicate) on Wall Street was as high as 2%, which is US$10 million."

"As long as they can facilitate the deal, they will get this huge commission."

The "Minister of the Navy" spread his hands: "No one can resist the temptation of money, let alone capitalists who regard money as life."

Ciel smiled bitterly, he already felt this deeply.

Needless to say, the capitalists will do their best to lobby the government and publicize among the people:

"If the loan is not agreed and the business is rejected, trade will not be formed, production will be limited, and industry will be depressed."

"Then labor and capital will be idle, finance will be in chaos, the working class will be unstable, and employment will decrease!"

…

These are actually linked to American citizens and will affect their living standards and interests.

It didn’t take long for citizens to express their approval:

"We should think about our own lives."

"Why not make money when you can? No one will shut out business!"

"The war is far away on the other side of the Pacific. What does it have to do with us?"

So there were loans, and large quantities of war materials were shipped from the United States to the Western Front and to the British mainland, but most of them were controlled by Kitchener.

The Lord of the Admiralty continued:

"With this, Kitchener doesn't need to care about the Navy or even the Parliament."

"Two months ago the House of Commons rejected Kitchener's proposal to expand the Army, but Kitchener ignored it. He ordered the recruitment of volunteers on the grounds of a 'war emergency' and quickly expanded the Army to nearly one million men."

"You know what this will do for Kitchener."

Seeing Charles's confused look, General Winter added: "Kitchener hopes that the Army will lead the final victory in this war, which can earn him enough political capital."

Charles suddenly realized that he was preparing to run for prime minister.

The prestige brought by victory is one, and millions of troops and their families will also become voters.

Charles looked at the "Admiralty Minister": "Is this one of the reasons why you actively promoted the Dardanelles Campaign?"

"The Lord of the Admiralty" admitted generously: "If you can win, why not?"

It's just that what he thought was a sure victory ended in a disastrous defeat, which gave Kitchener a loophole.

The "Secretary of the Navy" regretted a little. He should have considered the suggestion of the brat in front of him more.

Every word and every evaluation he made about the Battle of the Dardanelles was accurate, and was later proven to be absolutely correct.

This guy is a prophet!

As long as he earnestly implements one of his words, there will not be such an uncontrollable situation today!

Charles thought for a while and said, "I don't quite understand. What does this have to do with me?"

"Of course it has something to do with you, Major General." General Winter leaned his upper body forward and leaned in front of Charles: "The British Army has gained strength, allowing them to control the French army and order you to fight according to the British plan, which will bring you Danger……"

"I know this." Charles interrupted General Winter: "What I don't know is the significance of our cooperation. Do you want me to help the Royal Navy?"

"Yes." "The Lord of the Navy" nodded: "Help the Royal Navy, let them regain dominance, and let Parliament play its role again."

"Then what?" Charles asked, "What will this change?"

"Then, we can limit Kitchener's power through Parliament." The "Secretary of the Navy" said, "It can also give you freedom, Major General."

"Sorry." Charles laughed, "Maybe we will be completely wiped out by then. What's more, I think Kitchener's power comes from American loans and materials, and Parliament succumbed to them, and the French Parliament is the same."

"You are right, Major General." The "Secretary of the Navy" said calmly, "But not long ago, the Germans announced the implementation of "unrestricted submarine warfare". They will carry out indiscriminate attacks on merchant ships bound for Britain, including those from the United States."

(Note: Germany's "unrestricted submarine warfare" is best known for the one issued in 1917. In fact, it was issued as early as 1915, but it was abolished at the end of that year because of concerns about triggering an anti-German wave in Europe and the United States, especially the United States' participation in the war.)

Charles suddenly understood the intention of the "Secretary of the Navy."

If the Royal Navy can play a role in attacking German submarines, then the supplies will not be entirely controlled by Kitchener, and the role of the Royal Navy cannot be ignored. In fact, the Royal Navy is the real decisive military force.

The "Secretary of the Navy" looked at Charles with expectation: "I'm not sure if you can solve this problem, but General Winter said that nothing can stump you."