The Rise of Australasia

This can actually be attributed to the ambition of the Island Nation in developing military strength. When the Island Nation developed its modern military power, it referred to the development of the British navy and the French army.

The problem is, these two countries are completely different in terms of their army and navy. One advocates heavy emphasis on the navy and light emphasis on the army, and the other advocates heavy emphasis on the army and light emphasis on the navy.

It is unusual that the Island Nation’s army and navy would not be influenced by these two military development ideologies and would be able to see eye to eye.

In peacetime, such a situation may not be a big deal. After all, the military budget of the Island Nation can still be guaranteed, and it’s just a matter of one party suffering a little loss, and then grabbing it back the following year.

But the problem is, this naval conference is no joke. In the following years, it will inevitably impose huge restrictions on the development of military power.

Neither the Island Nation’s army nor its navy wants to be the most severely affected party.

On the surface, it seems that the Island Nation’s government is striving for a larger share, but in reality, it is a struggle between the army and the navy.

For the Island Nation’s government, this is a sleepless night.

The outcome of the conference will inevitably exacerbate the contradictions between the Island Nation’s army and navy. In addition to appeasing the army and navy, dealing with the current diplomatic dilemma of the Island Nation, namely the lack of any backup in the international arena, will also be a headache for the Island Nation’s government.

Representatives from various countries gathered together, occasionally tasting good wine and holding dances. It seemed that they were not here for diplomacy but for romantic encounters.

The mood of the Island Nation’s representatives was not so beautiful, as they bid farewell to the host country, Britain, the day after the conference ended, and rushed back to deal with domestic affairs.

However, the British did not care, as the forthcoming main characters were not the Islanders, and they did not pay attention to the whereabouts of the Islanders.

After a few days of relaxation, the conference finally ended. However, the representatives of several powers stayed on for a few more days at the request of the British as there was still a confidential meeting to be held.

This meeting was related to the matter previously proposed by the British, regarding the reduction of German war reparations.

As time entered 1920, the situation of the Germans was not very good, and their domestic development could be described as chaotic.

More seriously, the economic problems of the Germans could at any time pose a threat to the whole of Europe. After all, Germany’s cheap industrial goods were not only enjoyed by one country, but also exported to many countries, including Britain, France, and Italy. They flooded more than half of the European market.

Due to the strong demands of the victorious countries, Germany’s attitude towards reparations since its defeat has been very sincere.

All German people, including the Junker nobility who were very glamorous before the war, were tightening their belts and living frugally. Most of their industrial products were used to pay off debts, a few were used to exchange for raw materials, and even the living supplies in Germany were not guaranteed.

After being re-elected as Emperor of Germany, William II did not take any measures to stabilize the domestic political situation but focused his primary goal on saving Germany’s economy.

William II successively issued directives on the prohibition of using luxury goods and importing goods in order to reduce Germany’s consumption of foreign exchange as much as possible.

However, the main crisis facing Germany at present is actually huge inflation.

Inflation has turned the German mark into waste paper overnight. The mark, which used to be very valuable, is now worth even less than one-twentieth of its previous value.

This is an extremely exaggerated proportion. As we know, one pound used to be equivalent to 20 German marks, but now one pound is equivalent to 400 German marks and is still rising.

At present, a common loaf of bread has a selling price of several hundred marks in Germany, which is a cost ordinary people cannot even imagine.

If it were not for the British to maintain the German government by urgently providing food aid to Germany, the prices of food in Germany might have soared even more.

The massive inflation turned people’s funds into waste paper in an instant, and even left them with a lot of debt to the banks.

Banks and capitalists became the winners of Germany’s inflation, but the German people were already overwhelmed, and Germany’s crisis was already upon them.

It is worth mentioning that as the largest political force in Germany, the Junker nobility is also an important producer of German food.

These Junker nobles, whose roots lie in the land, do not want the German government to import large quantities of grain to stabilize domestic grain prices, as lower grain prices are not a good thing for them.

However, the current food crisis in Germany is already quite serious, and the German government cannot give up on importing grain, as the starving German people cannot remain indifferent.

Under such circumstances, Germany is currently struggling with both political and social chaos, making William II’s daily handling of political affairs a headache, and he no longer possesses the pride and confidence of the past.

Fortunately, the British would never let Germany collapse so easily because Germany is the pacesetter to restrict France and the only country on the European continent that can potentially stop French expansion.

If the Germans collapse, France will rightfully become the dominant force in the European continent, which the British absolutely do not want to see.

Therefore, even if it is destined to be a losing deal, the British still want to help Germany and push for a reduction in the proportion of German reparations to save the current German market and economy.

Of course, the countries that can ultimately stay in London and hold final talks with the British are naturally the key countries in the British plan.

In more detail, only the United Kingdom, France, Australasia, and Italy are eligible to participate in these final talks.

Of course, the focus of the negotiations is actually the British and French, with the Italian presence being low-key and neutral, listening to whichever side is stronger.

Australasia had already expressed its support for the British in previous meetings, so there was no need for further persuasion.

Seated in their positions, British Foreign Minister Grey first toasted with everyone, took a light sip of French red wine, and then smiled at French Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Millerlan, saying, "Prime Minister Millerlan, I want to have a sincere conversation with you.

I believe you are also aware of Germany’s current situation. If we leave it unchecked, the collapse of the German economy is inevitable sooner or later.

No matter how much conflict we have had with Germany in the past, its tens of millions of people are innocent, and we should not let them bear the consequences of war."

French Foreign Minister Millerlan, a man of considerable influence in French politics at this time, smiled at that moment.

At the beginning of World War I, Millerlan served as Minister of the Army and was elected a year ago as the administrative chief of France’s homeland, Alsace and Lorraine.

He took office as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister at the beginning of this year and is already one of the most powerful factions in the French government.

If history doesn’t deviate, Millerlan will become the new President of France this year, which speaks to his position in France at the time.

"That being said, Minister Grey," French Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Millerlan chuckled, saying, "France has no responsibility or obligation to bear the crisis of the German people.

The damage that Germany has inflicted on France in the war cannot be compensated by this indemnity alone, and the French government is even less likely to agree to reduce this indemnity in order to alleviate Germany’s economic problems."

"It’s not simply about relieving Germany’s economic problems, Prime Minister Millerlan. Germany has a huge industrial system, and their industrial products have already flooded the European market.

If the German economy collapses, we will lose an important source of cheap industrial products, which will have a serious impact on us as well.

Even exaggerating a bit, if Germany’s current situation leads to the outbreak of an economic crisis, who can escape unharmed from this economic crisis?

My friend, our sacrifice is not for Germany, but for ourselves. If we can avoid an economic crisis by reducing a certain proportion of reparations, why not?" Minister Grey laughed in rebuttal.

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