In London, the British government has been busy since the outbreak of the Prussian-Russian War.

Prime Minister Benjamin: "What, you want to expand your army again?"

Army Secretary Fox reminded seriously: "Prime Minister, we have not expanded our army for many years. Except for the war period, the army's organization has not increased for almost fifty years."

Benjamin replied with an awkward look on his face: "Sorry, I made a mistake. Tell me the reason, why did you think of expanding the army?"

The British Army has a low presence, and usually the navy is required to expand the army. Suddenly, Prime Minister Benjamin used "Another" to use it.

Fox has become accustomed to this situation. This is the status of the British Army. Except when needed, it rarely attracts the attention of the government.

"The Prussian-Russian War broke out and the situation in Europe is about to face a reshuffle. We need a strong army to deal with emergencies."

Chancellor Garfield Bromley Ann Heelong opposed: "No, the situation in Europe is still under our control. As long as the balance between France and Austria is not broken, there will be no problem.

Besides, even if the continental balance is broken, I don’t think that expanding the army can change anything.”

Although it is harsh, this is a fact. Austria has more than 600,000 troops in the standing army, and France has nearly 500,000 troops in the standing army.

Both Prat and Russia were fighting, mobilized millions of troops, and the total force of the two families invested in the battlefield exceeded 1.2 million.

How many British troops are there?

136,000!

Of course, this is not the entire armed forces of the British Empire. In the vast colonies, there are at least 500,000 colonial armies and several civil armed groups.

However, the combat effectiveness of the colonial army is notoriously low. When considering European issues, everyone habitually ignores these troops.

Fox's face suddenly became gloomy, which was a naked provocation. In the recent wars, the Army's performance was not very good, making him lose confidence in speaking.

No matter how combat effectiveness the Army is, as the Secretary of the Army, Fox, must maintain the dignity of the Army, and immediately asked: "Your Excellency, are you doubting the combat effectiveness of the Army?"

I suspect that the army has good combat effectiveness, but it is not possible to say it so openly. Compared with the Royal Navy, the British Army is a little brother, but there are also a large group of people behind this brother.

For one sentence, it is obviously not the wise man who offended such a large group of people.

Realizing the slightest remark, Garfield immediately remedyed: "No, I never doubted the army's combat effectiveness.

What I mean is that the number of troops is too small, and there is no way to compare with European countries. Even if our army has strong combat effectiveness, it is hard to beat four hands with two fists.

As an island country, it has decided that Britain's center of gravity must be placed on the sea. In this context, the strength we can invest in the army is very limited."

After hearing this explanation, Fox looked slightly slowed down: "It is precisely because of the gap that we have to catch up and narrow the gap with Fa'O.

Our army size is completely inconsistent with Britain's international status. Not to mention the shock of the Fa-Australia, even a third-rate country dares to despise us."

Prime Minister Benjamin, who had finished reading the document, picked up a pen and circled a number on it, stopping the two of them from quarrel: "Sir Fox, your plan to expand the army is beyond reality.

History has proved that Britain does not have the strength to compete for continental power, and maintaining balance is the best choice.

To achieve this goal, diplomacy is the core. The army does not need to use Fa'ao as an imaginary enemy. This is beyond our ability."

Faced with this situation, Fox was unmoved. This is not the first time that the expansion of the army has been rejected. Similar things happen almost every year.

There is nothing the military does not want to expand its army, especially the army raised by the stepmother. Whether it can pass or not, it will be tried once every year at the end of the year.

It is not expected that all goals can be achieved, as long as the organization of a group can be increased, it will be a great victory.

"Prime Minister, even if the situation in Europe is not considered, the colonies cannot ignore it, right? In recent years, the pressure on colonies has become increasingly greater.

Especially in the Indian colonies, we are still preparing to use troops to Afghanistan and Persia.

If the army is not expanded, the colonial army alone may not be able to complete the government's plan."

Benjamin frowned, and Austria expanded its power to the Persian Gulf region, and they also felt the pressure.

In order to curb Austria's expansion, the London government formulated a Persian strategy and prepared to occupy the Persian region before Austria digested the Arabian Peninsula.

As for the Afghan strategy, it is a historical issue. As the world overlord, Johnniu also needs face. If the invasion of Afghanistan failed a few years ago, he naturally had to find the place.

The outbreak of the Prussian-Russian War, and the energy of the Tsarist government was restrained in Europe, which was a good opportunity to take action. If the Russians recovered and wanted to seize the place, it would not be as simple as it is now.

Seeing that the Prime Minister was interested, Navy Secretary John Vasil immediately broke up and said: "With the current size of the army, it is indeed impossible to complete so many tasks.

But we still have time. After Austria digests the Arabian Peninsula, their next target should be the Ottoman Empire. Before the Ottoman destruction, we don’t have to worry that they will compete with us for Persia.

The same is true in Afghanistan, and the Prussian-Russian War will not end in a short while. Only when the Tsarist government wins the war can we need to worry about this threat.

Judging from the current situation, the possibility of the Russians winning the war easily is almost zero. After this war, the Tsarist government would have to cultivate for at least ten years.

This long time is enough for us to do a lot of things. If the Army cannot complete the mission, our Marines can do it for us."

Suppressing the Army is the core strategy of the Royal Navy, and its importance is no less than suppressing France and Austria, or even more important.

Insufficient troops?

After the war breaks out, it’s enough to temporarily expand, so why do you need to increase the organization?

In the Navy's view, the Army is redundant. It is enough to expand overseas with the Royal Navy and colonial forces; it is enough to maintain local public security and police. What does the Army use it for?

Even if you suppress the rebellion, you can still be put on the Marines! At worst, you can expand the organization and there is no need for the army to join in the fun.

Of course, this is just a thought. No matter how unpopular the Army is, the London government will not be able to lay off the ground.

Everyone knows the simplest checks and balances. Without the army, wouldn’t the whole country’s military power fall into the hands of the navy?

Benjamin nodded: "This issue is put aside first, and then discuss it slowly. If the Department of Army has any doubts, it can be submitted directly to the Parliament for discussion.

Let’s talk about the Prussian-Russian War. This war seems to be limited to Eastern Europe, but has actually affected the world situation.”

Parliament is the best shield. Any issue that can be discussed and concluded in a day or two is not something that can be discussed in a day or two. It is the best tool to delay time.

Foreign Minister Edward: "The Prussian-Russian War can be said to be the largest war in Europe and even human history.

According to the information from the embassy, ​​the total force mobilized by Prats and Russia is almost over three million. Perhaps it will not take long before both sides will invest millions of troops in a fight.

It is really unimaginable. This is just the two countries of Prat. Russia. If France and Austria mobilize, it may be even more terrifying.

The war has just begun now, and no one knows the outcome. The only thing that can be confirmed is that this war will be very tragic and millions of people may die."

When he spoke, Edward was still feeling a little scared. Before the war broke out, no one expected that Pratt-Russia would be so crazy.

Chancellor Garfield directly complained: "It's all a bunch of lunatics!"

Prime Minister Benjamin waved his hand and said lightly: "It doesn't matter whether the Prats and Russia are crazy or not. The key is the chain reaction brought by the war and what benefits can we get from this change in the international situation?

Needless to say, everyone knows that arms dealers are going to get rich. Let’s talk about the situation in Europe and the changes in the world.”

Foreign Minister Edward smiled relaxedly: "It's not that serious. If the situation in Europe changes, although it is still impossible to confirm, as long as France and Austria want to maintain stability, they can suppress it.

The world situation has a smaller impact. Although Pradesh and Russia are not weak, they are not colonial empires and their influence is mainly in the Eurasian continent.

At most, the Far East will be affected by a certain impact, but the rulers of Seris are too weak. Even if the Russians have no time to look east, they most likely dare not act rashly.

Actually, we can just pick up coffee, eat pastries, and watch the fight between Prat and Russia. There is really nothing we need to do!”

Britain has the confidence to be a melon-eating crowd, and no matter what the outcome of the Prussian War, it will not affect their interests.

Colonial Minister Robert shook his head: "No, we can do something else. Everyone's eyes were attracted to Eastern Europe, so the South American War could follow our script.

Before the end of the Prussian-Russian War, I think that the two countries of Austria should not bother us to make trouble. The Chileans have taken a big advantage this time."

The navies of Pratt-Russia are not good. As maritime countries, Britain can make money in wars happily, but France and Austria on the mainland cannot do it.

The European continent is too small to squeeze out so many big countries. France and Austria cannot allow new big countries to rise and squeeze out their own interests.

Whether it is Austria or France, we must keep our attention now, stare at the Eastern European battlefield, and be prepared to interfere in this war at any time.

To ensure the investment of power on the continent, France and Austria will naturally not care about South America in a short period of time, and Bolivia and Peru are considered tragedy.

...
Chapter completed!