"Well then, we should start with the front lines first. The Tsar expected that after the Battle of the Marne, the Anglo-French forces would at least recover their territory. Since the enemy's blitzkrieg failed, he thought that if we just defended, naturally the BEF and main army would return at least to the starting line."
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The topic of 'fronts' that both Britain and France had to face from the start of the war.
"So, we even gave up complete occupation of Poland and took the drastic step of replacing our commander-in-chief. All for your offensive."
Once greetings ended and ceremonial pleasantries were exchanged once, Kokovtsov's hospitable deanor disappeared completely.
Only a politician seeking accountability and picking fights remained.
Indeed, the Anglo-French forces had been shocked to see Russian forces instantly devour Poland when they'd expected recruitnt alone would take several months.
The sight of this unknown Brusilov consuming land half the size of France was no less impressive than the German army.
However, Kitchener wasn't the type to be startled by such temperature changes.
'Tch, these Slavs. They say they get along with Jews, and they really have beco weak.'
So didn't Russia end up being the only one to benefit?
Looking at the sa event from a different perspective, Russia could take Poland because France endured Germany's main force in the early war.
"The Pri Minister may know, but this new aspect called trench warfare doesn't allow fronts to be pushed and pulled easily. In this structure, we must aim for long-term attrition rather than short-term territory recovery. This would be true for any front, not just ours."
When Kokovtsov expressed disappointnt, Kitchener said it couldn't be helped.
"Hmm, I see. But if as the Minister says a long war is expected, I wonder if your holand can endure such a lengthy ordeal."
As he lifted his teacup to drink, Kitchener felt like he was trying to hide a smiling face.
Though Kitchener felt anger surge up at hearing such words while both clearly knew each other's circumstances.
'...I must admit it. We need Russia.'
Russia is facing the Dual Monarchy and Germany alone.
Unlike expectations, they show no desire to occupy Berlin, and don't even show signs of offensive operations.
Yet the reason Kitchener, busy organizing expeditionary forces, ca here risking U-boat and mine dangers.
Was to draw upon Russia's power once again.
More precisely, to break this trench warfare frawork with the Slavic hamr.
"Three. That's the number of German commanders-in-chief replaced to face Commander Roman Isidorovich Kondratenko, as we've confird. Yet none could break through his defense line."
"He is indeed an excellent general."
Roman, who had been responsible for the massive front over the past half year, blocked the enemy without concern even when railway supplies beca sowhat inadequate.
Did he just block them? He's soone who has now instilled in the enemy the perception that 'charging at Russian defense lines ans certain loss.'
"However, there seems to be so concern in parliant. So seem to misunderstand that Commander Roman is too defensive and has no intention of offensive operations at all."
Though softened in expression, Kitchener's intended aning was simple.
'They say one's mind changes between entering and leaving the bathroom - do you actually intend to attack?'
From late 1914 to February 1915, Britain and France had conducted the 'Winter Operations' centered on the north.
This operation aid to recover French territory by taking advantage of German forces being diverted to Poland, and though it was fierce enough to cause 100,000 British BEF casualties, regrettably it failed to achieve its desired objective.
The failure of the winter operations they had prepared with gritted teeth. Naturally, voices of resentnt had to erge, and these developed into blaming allied forces instead of their own armies.
For example, saying the winter operations failed because Russia only defended.
Indeed, it was true that the Russian Northwestern Army had taken an excessively defensive posture since Roman's appointnt.
To this, Kokovtsov returned Kitchener's words right back to him.
"Hmm, as the Minister says, as a Pri Minister only in the rear I don't know about the front lines as well as soldiers, but certainly this new aspect called trench warfare doesn't seem to allow fronts to be pushed and pulled easily."
"..."
At this mont, Kitchener truly hated that he, a soldier, had to deal with politicians.
"Well, can't be helped, can it?"
Truly, sincerely.
==
Kitchener's schedule in Russia was set quite long.
He seed to want to negotiate and agree on various matters during this opportunity.
The Supre War Council to command allied forces hadn't been established yet, and each country's command authority remained strictly separate.
In this situation, coordinating operations wasn't easy.
Especially with multiple fronts spread out making communication difficult, and each country's political positions involved on top of that.
In so ways, perhaps it would have been difficult for Britain, France, Russia, Greece, Romania, and other Commonwealth nations to gather together intending to take the Ottoman's head if not for the Suez attack incident.
Anyway, over the past few days, Minister Kitchener, who was a British army general, earl, and plenipotentiary envoy.
Though he seed to continue marathon-like negotiations with Kokovtsov every single day, his schedule naturally included a simple celebratory banquet.
"Sohow the banquet has beco a bit gloomy with only n gathered. I hope you understand we can't celebrate grandly during warti."
"How could I complain? It's more than enough that the Tsar personally congratulates ."
Unlike Kokovtsov's face showing relief from indigestion built up since the Great Ga, Kitchener looks sowhat tired, but.
Well, since he says he's fine, I didn't probe further.
"Though I fall behind my Pri Minister in expertise regarding diplomacy and war, how are the two of you's talks progressing?"
Taking an artful 'I don't know well' stance and asking like a third party, Kitchener's expression shows the miracle of changing variously in a short ti.
It's obvious what he thinks of . Though it must be absurd hearing such words from the Tsar who built the strongest imperial authority in Russian history through bloody purges, he's trying hard to manage his expression.
"The Pri Minister is an outstanding person. From what I see, he's necessary for developing relations between our countries."
"Haha, is that so? Pri Minister, then will the war end this year?"
Though the band still played and crowds hadn't diminished, the decibel level echoing through the hall seed to drop sharply.
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