My Italian - Chapter 645

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The Battle of Sirte did not only affect Ottoman’s judgment. In fact, when the German side talked with him, the British, the main opponent, did not fall behind. They are also courting a country.

At this time in Tokyo, Japan, a cabinet meeting was being held.

At this time in Japan, the Okuma Shigenobu cabinet was in power, and this was the second time that Okuma Shigenobu formed a cabinet. Unlike Ito Hirobumi’s support for the first time, this time the cabinet formation was supported by Yamagata Youtomo. So much so that some people say that the cabinet will achieve nothing if it does not have friends in Shan County.

“Gentlemen, this is a new condition put forward by the British, who agree to our demands on the German Philippines and Italian Borneo.”

Shigenobu Okuma, who was shouldered by the Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs, enlivened the atmosphere in the venue as soon as he spoke.

“Great, the British finally agreed.”

“Now, our army can finally occupy the rich German and Italian colonies.”

There is also a reason why the Japanese cabinet ministers are so informal, because it is too difficult.

That’s right, it’s just too difficult.

The two places are very rich. Copper, gold, and rice from the German Philippines, and spices, rubber, and oil from Italian Borneo are all well-known. These are what Japan desperately needs.

Every year, the materials purchased from the two places alone reach hundreds of millions of yen. Therefore, after the outbreak of the war, Japan’s condition for joining the Allied Powers was to return the Philippines and Italian Borneo to him.

But it is a pity that although Britain and France are looking forward to Japan’s joining the Allied Powers, they also covet the Philippines and Italian Borneo that they requested, and they rejected it at once.

For its East Asian allies, London is very vigilant. You must know that since the Russo-Japanese War, the British have become defensive towards the rising Japan.

In addition to finding a potential enemy of the United States for it, it is also wary of its forces entering Southeast Asia. Even if they fought against the Allied powers before, they must strictly prevent the entry of Japanese forces.

As for why it is agreed now, it is very simple. On the one hand, it is necessary for the war, and on the other hand, the German and Italian colonies in Southeast Asia are not easy to fight.

Before the outbreak of the war, Germany deployed 12,000 German troops in the Philippines, as well as 30,000 colonial troops. In Borneo, Italy also has an army of 5,000 people and a colonial army of 45,000.

Moreover, the colonial armies of Germany and Italy are different from the British, and their equipment and training are not similar to those of the local army, so their combat effectiveness is very strong.

In the tentative attack of Britain and France on Borneo in December, 20,000 people beat the 30,000 British and French colonial troops. If it weren’t for the absolute advantage of its navy, it is still a question of whether these tentatively attacking troops can withdraw.

According to this battle, Britain and France estimated that they would need at least 200,000 troops to conquer the colonies of Germany and Italy.

On the other hand, Britain and France urgently need the supplement of the navy at present.

Although the losses in the previous naval battle of Sirte were recouped, Britain and France are actually very clear about the quality. And Japan, which currently has a strong navy, has become a target worth wooing.

At this time, Jiang Muyi, who was the chief secretary of the cabinet, asked cautiously. “Your Excellency, the British must have high demands, right?”

Obviously, this man thought that since the British could relax, the asking price might not be low.

“Yes, Mr. Jiang Mu, the British not only asked us to be the main force to seize the German and Italian colonies this time, but also asked us to deploy King Kong, Hiei, Hanoi, Settsu, and Fuso to support their Mediterranean fleet. In addition It also requires the empire to send an army of no less than 100,000 people to cooperate with it in combat.”

“There is no way to agree to this condition.”

“It’s too harsh, the British are talking like a lion.”

“Do they think this is the era of the shogunate?”

At this time, when Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma said the conditions of the British, the important ministers who had praised Britain and France for letting go immediately changed their words.

“Prime Minister, did the British offer other conditions?”

At this moment, Reijiro Dazosuke Wakataki asked.

“Yes, the British have promised that if we accept an interest-free loan of 20 million pounds, they will also provide financial assistance of 10 million pounds.”

Well, now the venue is quiet, and some people even swallowed their saliva. This is more than 300 million yen, who can test its power in a small way.

Don’t blame these important Japanese ministers for being impatient, because Japan today is much worse than Japan in history. Affected by a certain butterfly, Japan’s national strength has been reduced by 30% compared to history, and its foreign debt has increased by 40%. And because the frenzy of dreadnoughts brought by Italy earlier, Japan invested earlier to follow up, so this also caused Japan to be stronger at this time than in the same period in history.

If it weren’t for the outbreak of war that gave Japan a sigh of relief, even the Japanese people who are civilized with patience would not be able to bear it. Since 1905, various riots in Japan have been increasing day by day, with the highest being 847 in 1912.

Some people may ask, since the Japanese people’s sentiments are so bad, they actually want to expand the strength of the army. Is it not good to use it for people’s livelihood?

Sorry, you don’t understand what militarism is. The worse the situation is, the more it is necessary to expand the strength of the army. Not to mention the high foreign debts that Japan bears, if you don’t rely on quick money, you will have to pay it back in what year and month.

As for why Japan was chosen as the Allied Power, there are two reasons. On the one hand, influenced by the Anglo-Japanese alliance, the pro-British faction in Japan is strong.

On the other hand, Japan believes that in this war in Europe, there is a high probability that Britain will win. Although the Allied Powers seem to be at a disadvantage now, the history of hundreds of years is not something that the emerging Germany, Italy and Austria can compete with. As for the Ottomans joining the alliance camp, anyone who is sick in the Near East can beat him.

“This condition, in fact, we can also talk about, for example, the sales of Chinese products in the south of the Yangtze River.”

The one who opened the mouth was Reijiro Hazatsuki. For the sake of Japan’s economy, this Prime Minister also worked hard for Japan’s finances.

“In addition, we sent warships and troops to Europe, so should it be responsible for the supply of weapons and equipment?”

“besides…”

At this time, the cabinet ministers put forward different conditions one by one, and Shigenobu Okuma, who also served as foreign minister, ordered people to write down these conditions one by one.

After everyone talked about it, Shigenobu Okuma opened his mouth. “Master Yatsushiro, please make a plan to build ten large warships within three years.”

“Good Prime Minister, our navy will come up with the plan soon.”

Okuma Shigenobu’s words made Navy Minister Yatsushiro Rokuro overjoyed, he did not expect such a surprise. The 88th Fleet, which the Navy had dreamed of, finally came to fruition.

Prime Minister Okuma’s words made Ru Xiangoka Ichinosuke’s face look bad. Obviously, the navy got more, and the army was about to get less.

“Lu Xiang, I have discussed this matter with His Excellency Shan County. Although we are all optimistic that the British side will win, the German side may also win. In order to avoid this situation, the empire needs a sufficiently powerful navy.”

Well, although the Prime Minister of Japan relied on the army to come to power, he still has basic political capabilities.

In order to prevent possible failure, Japan must have a strong navy. The Russo-Japanese War has fully demonstrated this point. At that time, as long as the Japanese navy is strong enough, even if you get on the wrong bus, you can get off with three cups of punishment.

Who can mobilize an army to travel thousands of miles to the Far East to attack him, the cost of this will definitely make him think twice.

Soon, Prime Minister Okuma, who brought the conditions of various departments, talked with the British in person. After some verbal battles, he finally came up with a result that satisfied both parties.

First of all, on Japan’s side, it will deploy five warships unchanged. It will go to Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Fleet within one month after the declaration of war. As for the army, it needs to organize 200,000 troops to fight with Britain and France within half a year.

As the greater price for Japan to send troops, Britain provided 20 million pounds in economic aid and 20 million in 15-year interest-free loans. (Six million pounds of which will be used as a special expenditure for the army to appease the mood of the army.). On the economic front, Britain must not block Japan’s economic activities in the Yangtze River Basin. In addition, for the troops sent by Japan, except for rifles, other weapons and equipment were provided by the United Kingdom, and they should not be lower than the standards of the Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian armies.

On February 3, 1914, Japan officially declared war on Germany, Italy and Austria, and the scale of the war became larger and larger.

There were a lot of things to do yesterday, and I was very tired when I went back tonight. I really didn’t finish writing. Sorry for keeping everyone waiting.