Chapter 505: After Modification: Chapter 505 Unlimited Submarine Warfare
"Kitchener has been prepared for this, General," the Minister of the Navy said. "He has been waiting for this moment."
Seeing Shire’s confusion, the Minister of the Navy further explained, "He supports my initiation of the Dardanelles Strait campaign—it’s a conspiracy."
"You mean he knew that the Dardanelles Strait campaign would fail?" Shire was skeptical.
"No." The Minister of the Navy shook his head. "Winning the Dardanelles Strait campaign has little impact on the Army, but losing it is a major benefit to the Army."
Shire pondered for a moment and then nodded slowly.
The Dardanelles Strait campaign involved the Royal Navy’s main forces and tens of thousands of colonial troops, fighting against the feeble Ottoman Empire.
Winning was expected.
Losing would disgrace the Royal Navy, naturally shifting focus to the Army.
"Moreover." The Minister of the Navy frowned, making his face look like a bitter gourd. "While we are considering how to defeat the Ottoman Empire, Kitchener has already started securing loans from the Americans!"
"American loans?" Shire was puzzled. What does this have to do with the war?
The next second, he realized: Supplies, it’s the supplies!
Securing American loans meant securing supplies. With supplies, one could control the army and direct the course of the war, not just the French Army but also the British Army.
The Minister of the Navy nodded slightly:
"I think you have already guessed it."
"The Americans, nurtured long under the ’Monroe Doctrine’, have always tried to maintain ’true neutrality’."
"Therefore, in principle, the United States cannot provide loans to the Allies, let alone arms and supplies."
"But this line of defense was easily breached by Kitchener."
The Minister of the Navy sighed gently, looking up at Shire: "Do you know how he did it?"
Shire shook his head, realizing his commercial intelligence was too lacking. As a capitalist and one about to enter the American market, he didn’t know about this.
"He broke through via American conglomerates," the Minister of the Navy said:
"A very clever approach— the first 500 million US Dollar arms order gave Wall Street’s Morgan conglomerate (Jewish conglomerate) a 2% commission, that is, 10 million US Dollar."
"As long as they can facilitate this transaction, they get the huge commission."
The Minister of the Navy spread his hands: "No one can resist the lure of money, especially those capitalists who see wealth as their lifeline."
Shire gave a bitter smile, deeply understanding this.
No need to say more, capitalists will wholeheartedly lobby the government and promote among the people:
"If you disagree with the loan and refuse this business, trade cannot be formed, production will be limited, and industry will decline."
"Then labor and capital will idle, financial disorder will ensue, the working class will become unstable, and employment will decrease!"
...
These concerns are genuinely tied to American citizens, affecting their living standards and interests.
It won’t take long for citizens to express their support:
"We should consider our own lives."
"Why not earn money? No one would reject business!"
"The war is far across the Pacific Ocean, it has nothing to do with us."
Thus, loans were secured, and massive war supplies were shipped from the United States to the Western Front and Britain itself, but most were controlled by Kitchener.
The Minister of the Navy continued:
"With these, Kitchener does not need to care about the Navy or even the Parliament."
"Two months ago, the House of Commons vetoed Kitchener’s proposal to expand the army, but Kitchener ignored it and ordered the recruitment of volunteer troops under the guise of ’wartime emergency’, quickly expanding the army to nearly a million."
"You know what benefits this brings to Kitchener."
Seeing Shire’s confusion, General Winter added: "Kitchener hopes to lead the Army to final victory in this war, which would earn him enough political capital."
Shire suddenly understood: preparing for the Prime Minister election.
Victory brings prestige, and a million soldiers and their families become voters.
Shire looked at the Minister of the Navy: "Is this also one of the reasons you are actively promoting the Dardanelles Strait campaign?"
The Minister of the Navy candidly admitted: "Why not win if we can?"
But what he considered a guaranteed victory ended in a crushing defeat, allowing Kitchener to take advantage.
The Minister of the Navy regretted, thinking he should have paid more heed to the suggestions from this youngster.
Every word and every evaluation about the Dardanelles Strait campaign were precise and accurate, later proven absolutely correct.
This guy is simply a prophet!
If he had seriously executed even one of the advised suggestions, today’s unmanageable situation wouldn’t exist!
Shire thought for a moment, then said: "I don’t quite understand, what does this have to do with me?"
"Of course it concerns you, Major General." General Winter leaned forward towards Shire: "The British Army gaining power allows them to control the French Army and command you to act according to Britain’s plans, which puts you at risk."
"I know this," Shire interrupted General Winter. "What I don’t understand is the significance of our cooperation, do you want me to help the Royal Navy?"
"Yes." The Minister of the Navy nodded. "Help the Royal Navy regain dominance, and let Parliament play its role again."
"Then?" Shire asked. "What will change?"
"Then we can limit Kitchener’s power through Parliament." The Minister of the Navy said. "It will also restore your freedom, Major General."
"Sorry." Shire laughed. "By then, we might have been wiped out. Besides, I think Kitchener’s power comes from American loans and supplies, thus even the French Parliament yields."
"You’re right, Major General." The Minister of the Navy said calmly. "But not long ago, the Germans announced ’unrestricted submarine warfare’, targeting British merchant ships without discrimination, including those from the United States."
(Note: Germany’s "unrestricted submarine warfare" is most known for its 1917 announcement; however, the first was issued in 1915 but revoked by the end of the year fearing anti-German sentiment especially from the US.)
Shire suddenly understood the Minister of the Navy’s intent.
If the Royal Navy plays a crucial role in combating German submarines, then supplies will not be entirely controlled by Kitchener. The Royal Navy’s contribution will be indispensable, and perhaps the Royal Navy will be the decisive military power.
The Minister of the Navy looked at Shire with hopeful eyes: "I’m not sure if you can solve this problem, but General Winter says nothing can stump you."