Chapter 410： Arms race

The situation in Europe is chaotic. How can it be possible to lose Britain? The conflict between France and Austria was not picked up, and the London government was very disappointed.

However, Prime Minister John Russell is not worried, one for two. Regardless of the excuses of the French, it was true that they reached into the backyard of Austria.

The seeds of the conflict between the two countries have been buried, which is enough for the British. Provoking France-Austria relations and letting them oppose each other and contain them is the option that is in the best interest of Britain.

If they were to fight, it would not be a good thing. In other words, any war that breaks the balance in Europe is not desired by the London government.

Especially at the time when the Russian empire is about to decline, war broke out between France and Austria, and any one who wins is a new hegemon in Europe.

Any European hegemon is the greatest enemy of the British, and there is no need for any reason. The national policy of the London government has always been so.

At 10 Downing Street, Foreign Minister Raslin walked into the conference room with a smile and saw that he was in a good mood.

John Russell said flatly, "It's all here, then the meeting begins. Sir Raislin, what's the good news?"

Foreign Minister Resling smiled and responded: "Just now we received the news that the Tsarist government intends to let the three Nordic countries unify."

This is something the London government has been trying to do in recent years, but has not done. The unification of the three Nordic countries is definitely not a good thing for the Russian Empire.

As long as exporting great power to them, the reunified Northern Europe is destined to stand on the opposite side of the Russians. Who gives them a glorious history?

Opening the history book, I saw that Finland, the Baltic Sea and other large territories were once their territories. Now they are occupied by the Russians. Do the radicals still live?

Of course, the population of the three Nordic countries is not large, and it is still far from threatening the Russian Empire. However, it is still possible to restrain some of the Russians' energy.

This is why the British are willing to support them, anyway, no matter how the North Europe develops, it will not affect the interests of Britain.

Under normal circumstances, the Russians will not allow Northern Europe to unify. Doing this now means that the Russians will soon be unable to support and have to make compromises.

John Russell asked uncertainly: "Are the Russians trying to draw Sweden and Norway to war against the Prussians and reduce the pressure on their battlefield?"

Foreign Minister Raslin replied: "This is the most ideal state. In fact, the Tsarist government should be very clear that this situation is almost impossible.

The Berlin government has made concessions and promised to withdraw from the Jutland Peninsula, with Denmark's territorial requirements limited to the two German duchyes.

For Sweden, this is enough. If the two German states were also incorporated, Denmark's voice would be too great, and they would not be able to gain dominance.

The Tsarist government now just wants to stabilize Sweden, otherwise the northern Xinjiang will resurrect, and they will really not be able to support it. Initially, it can be judged that the Russians are now tired of running. "

The Russians are exhausted, which is the best news. After this wave, the Russians will not be able to cause them trouble for decades to come.

If the subsequent plan goes well, the threat may be resolved once and for all.

The Prime Minister John Russell made the decision without hesitation: "Launch our greatest influence and give the Russians a fatal blow.

Intensify assistance to Prussia, let the Ottoman Empire enter the war as soon as possible, and the Far East should also be launched.

The plan would be perfect if Sweden could stab Russians. "

Obviously, John Russell has low expectations for Sweden in the war. If the Russians continue to oppose the merger of the three Nordic countries, then the possibility of the Swedes stabbing the Russians is very high.

It's almost impossible now, and the Swedish government must take Danish feelings into account. Denmark and Russia are now allies, and their enemy is the Kingdom of Prussia, which makes it impossible for Sweden to join forces with the Prussians.

...

"Since the implementation of the two strong standards, the Royal Navy has been severely challenged. At present, our navy has a serious shortage of military expenditures, and it is no longer possible to suppress France and Austria simultaneously.

Not long ago, the Paris government allocated another 120 million francs for shipbuilding. The specific shipbuilding plan is unclear. Obviously this is for our two strong standards.

The Austrians have not responded, but according to past practice, the Vienna government will refer to the French man-made ship's funding of 80 to 90 percent.

Our shipbuilding budget for this year has been used up. To maintain the current advantage, another 10 million pounds must be allocated. Said Secretary of the Navy Edward

The ten million pounds of this era are not the ten million pounds of later generations. There are no more than ten countries in the world with annual fiscal revenue that can exceed 10 million pounds.

Dare to ask for so much shipbuilding funding in one breath, except for the British Royal Navy, there should be no second party.

France and Austria did get the money. However, these two are land power countries. When developing the navy, they must also consider the army.

If it weren't for the British clamoring for the two strong standards, the Paris government would not suddenly increase shipbuilding funding and detonate this arms race.

In this era, the total of the tonnage of the Austrian and Austrian navies is almost the same as that of the Royal Navy, and the number of iron armored ships is still more.

Facing the clamor of the British, Napoleon III felt insulted, and even Franz in Vienna could not stand the provocation.

Oh, this is not just their personal feelings, but more precisely the common feelings of the two peoples.

Everyone wants face, and civil radical groups are clamoring to catch up with the Royal Navy. Then there is no need to say, the arms race!

It happened that Napoleon III needed to divert the attention of the people so that they would not always stare at the breaking things in the two Sicilian kingdoms.

Napoleon III provoked an arms race, and that was also promising. The French economy has embarked on the fast track in the last ten years, and last year's fiscal revenue exceeded the British's 18 million pounds. (Including the Kingdom of Sardinia)

Of course, this is just local fiscal revenue. If you add a colony, the British are even more powerful. You must know that India ’s fiscal revenue is as high as more than 50 million pounds, and the British ’s pride is obvious.

However, Napoleon III did not advise, and he was not prepared to let the French navy exceed the Royal Navy, as long as the French and Austrian navies combined, breaking the two standards of the British clamor.

Behind anger is also related to international political status. Once the Royal Navy's two strong standards were achieved, the British gained absolute dominance in overseas affairs.

Here France and Austria cannot tolerate. The French navy is the second in the world, and the arrogant Parisian petitions every day. This early bird, Napoleon III, must be the one.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Agarwal gave Edward a stern glance and greeted his family members in his heart.

In his opinion, the Admiralty is typically improper and does not know that chai oil is expensive. The "two strong standards" look tempting, in fact, this is nothing to find excitement.

The British's financial resources are indeed the strongest in the world. However, France and Austria are not weak, and everyone's strength is not very different.

Just like the two strong standards of the original British time and space clamor, they have also been challenged, and even more severe.

Each of France and Austria has the potential to challenge the Royal Navy's hegemony. If it were not for the development of the Army, the Royal Navy's maritime supremacy would have been unstable.

Agarwal said with a somber expression: "No, this year's budget has been set. Now the budget of 10 million pounds has suddenly been increased. The Treasury has no such money. If you want funding, you can convince Congress!

Ten million pounds is indeed a lot, but for the London government, the crowding actually came out. Apparently Agarwal was not prepared to save money and raise funds for the navy.

Secretary of the Navy Edward said angrily: "The Royal Navy has a relationship with the British National Games. If we can't guarantee the absolute advantage, once France and Austria catch up, we will regret it!"

Without so many reasons, the main purpose of the Navy's "two strong standards" is for funding. The threats of the navies of France and Austria are actually 10,000 miles away.

Everyone is a colonial empire. The navy is mostly scattered all over the world. All regions are suppressed by the Royal Navy. Where can we talk about any threat?

Even if the French and Austrian navies join forces, most of them are not actually rivals of the Royal Navy. The problem of mutual cooperation between the navies of the two countries on the battlefield cannot be solved. In the case of individual warfare, they are not opponents of the Royal Navy at all.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Agarwal did not buy the account: "So you ask Congress to ask for money! Now the Ministry of Finance does not have this budget. To increase the huge budget temporarily, it must be approved by Congress.

Without the support of the Cabinet, it is not so easy to convince Congress with the Admiralty. Even if they reasoned and moved with affection, they would persuade the consorts of uncles to agree that the warships built by the French had long been in service.

As soon as Edward was ready to defend, he was stopped by Prime Minister John Russell. It is a common thing to compete for funds. Basically, the Ministry of Finance has to deal with each department once a year.

Agarwal's behavior was not wrong, and he was acting according to regulations. The Admiralty's temporary increase in budget must go to Congress. The unwillingness of the Ministry of Finance to ask Congress for funding is also in compliance.

"The issue of increasing shipbuilding funding will be submitted by the Navy Department to Congress, and the time is set for next Monday. We will support the proposal.

Sir Edward, the Admiralty must be fully prepared to accept questions from members of Congress. Is there a problem? "John Russell said

This is a necessary process. As long as Congress agrees to increase the budget, the Treasury can either solve the problem of financing by either lending, issuing bonds, or raising taxes.

The arms race has just begun and the London government has not felt the pressure. In the later stages, they will not be so easy.

Secretary of the Navy Edward answered, "No!"

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