"Everyone, let's stop here for today's eting. Regarding your suggestions, I will carefully consider them." Pri Minister Asquith said with a tired face. It is obviously impossible to make a decision at once on such a major decision related to the destiny of the country. Especially the current situation is very unfavorable to them, and it is very likely that they will lose the war.
"Yes, Your Excellency the Pri Minister." The other cabinet mbers said one after another, and then everyone got up and prepared to leave.
"Churchill and Edward stay!" Pri Minister Asquith said.
Secretary of the Navy Winston Churchill and Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Gray? Leng, then nodded. They knew that Pri Minister Asquith had specially kept them, so he must have sothing important to discuss with them.
After everyone left, Pri Minister Asquith, Churchill and Sir Edward Gray also left the conference room and went directly to the Pri Minister's office.
"If we seek peace with the Germans, how likely is it to preserve the fundantal interests of the British Empire?" Pri Minister Asquith asked directly.
Both Churchill and Sir Edward Gray knew that if the conditions of the Germans were not too harsh, Pri Minister Asquith might really seek peace. After all, the odds of winning this war are already very small, and even, they have a great possibility of losing the war. Once the war is lost, the British Empire is completely over. It's better to seek peace now. In this case, you may be able to pay a little less loss.
As for the fundantal interests of the British Empire, apart from the mainland, I am afraid that India is the only one. In other words, if the British Empire loses other places in the war, even if only the mainland and India are left, then they can still recover their strength quickly and beco a powerful country. India has a large population and abundant resources. More importantly, those Indians have been tad by the British. Therefore, they can exploit and oppress India at will, and plunder huge amounts of wealth from India. However, if it is changed to other places, I am afraid it will not work.
It's just that everyone knows the wealth of India and the nature of Indians, which makes all countries salivate at India. If it is said that because of the strength of the British Empire before, everyone did not dare to act rashly. So, after Germany puts the UK down this ti, will it leave India to the UK again, so that they have a chance to rise again? That is obviously impossible.
"Your Excellency Pri Minister, we may not be able to keep India. The Germans will definitely ask us to cede India to them. Even all the overseas colonies will not be left much. The appetite of the Germans may be greater than we imagined. They Isn't it for our overseas colonies to deliberately challenge our hegemony?" Sir Edward Gray said.
Pri Minister Asquith nodded. If it were him, I am afraid that he would not hesitate to take India away from Britain. Without India, the foundation of Britain has undoubtedly been shaken. It is impossible to pose a threat to Germany in the future.
"After all, we have not lost the war. Although the Germans have gained an advantage, they have not won after all. If we negotiate with them, it may be possible to keep India." Pri Minister Asquith said.
Sir Edward Gray nodded, but he had to admit that this possibility is really very, very small.
"Then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should contact the Germans. If they agree to the truce, the British Empire can give them all the colonies in Africa and the Middle East. In addition, in terms of war reparations, you can also give them 100 million pounds. The conditions are not bad. If the Germans can agree, it will be very beneficial to them." Pri Minister Asquith said.
Although, the price paid is not small. However, for the United Kingdom, this is not yet a traumatic loss. As long as they develop their minds for a period of ti, their national strength will be restored and they will have the strength to confront Germany again.
"Yes, Your Excellency, I will arrange it." Sir Edward Gray said.
Pri Minister Asquith nodded and looked at Churchill.
"If we let go and fight the Germans, what are our chances of winning?" Pri Minister Asquith asked. Although, in his heart, he is already inclined to negotiate peace with the Germans. However, for the victory, he still did not give up. If you can win, it is naturally the best. In that case, the British Empire would not only be able to keep these existing interests, but at the sa ti be able to ruthlessly slaughter the Germans and cut off a large piece of fat. The losses paid during the war can almost be made up for. Of course, Pri Minister Asquith also knew that the chances of winning were very small.
"The Pri Minister said that it is very difficult to defeat the Germans now. Unless, in the naval battle, God is on our side. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to defeat them. The design ideas of our warships, A fundantal mistake has occurred, which has made our warships far inferior to the Germans in terms of performance. This has led to a great possibility that we will be at a disadvantage in naval battles. Of course, there are many factors that determine the outco of a naval battle, not only Just that. For example, if we get lucky in a naval battle, we also have a chance of winning," Churchill explained.
Pri Minister Asquith nodded. Although Churchill did not say it clearly, he knew that in reality, the chances of the British navy winning were very small. So much so that Churchill could only place his hopes on illusory luck. It is obviously unrealistic to expect Britain to have better luck in naval battles and thus defeat the German navy.
"If we lose the war, the British Empire will be completely over." Pri Minister Asquith said.
"Yes, Your Excellency Pri Minister. If we lose the war, then we will have to agree to the harshest conditions of the Germans, and even let the Germans slaughter them. If we refuse them, the Germans will even land on our holand and let the Germans The whole country is caught in the flas of war. At that ti, our country will be destroyed." Churchill said.
Pri Minister Asquith's complexion couldn't help but beco even uglier. As the Pri Minister of the British Empire, the actual leader of the country, he certainly does not want to see such a day.
"Edward, I authorize you to negotiate with the Germans. If the conditions of the Germans are not harsh, then end the war." Pri Minister Asquith said.
"Yes, Your Excellency the Pri Minister." Sir Edward Gray nodded.
"Churchill, if diplomatic negotiations fail, then the only way we can go is war." Pri Minister Asquith continued.
"Your Excellency, Pri Minister, I will do my best to win!" Churchill said.
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