At the time of the first London Naval Conference, Southern Africa was still a member of the Commonwealth. At that time, the United Kingdom was still powerful, just like the martial arts leader in the novel, no one dared to obey orders.
Now the decline of the United Kingdom is fully evident. Southern Africa has built four "Island" class aircraft carriers, and the United States has built five "Yorktowns". The British Empire only dares to compete with two "Elizabeths". In this arms race, the British Empire has fallen behind.
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On December 22, at the sixth plenary meeting, when Marshal Roger Keyes, the head of the British delegation, spoke, the atmosphere in the venue was very strange.
Roger Keyes failed to compete for Lord of the Admiralty three years ago, and then retired sadly. Before retiring, he was promoted to Admiral of the Navy, which became the biggest consolation in Roger Keyes' military career.
After retiring, Roger Keyes is unwilling to be lonely. He is actively running for election as a member of the House of Commons. If the London Naval Conference can reach a final agreement, then this will be Roger Keyes' biggest boost.
In the previous meetings, there was no progress due to strong opposition from the Southern African delegation.
Roger Case was fully prepared today. More than 80% of his speech was used to persuade Southern Africa, and the remaining 20% also had a lot to do with Southern Africa.
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To Roger Case's surprise, Arthur, who had taken a tough stance in the previous meetings, did not attend the meeting. It was Yang Smuts and Angel who represented southern Africa.
Angel is easy to deal with, but Yang Smuts is an old fox. During the World War, Roger Case served as the commander of the battlecruiser fleet and had dealings with Yang Smuts. Roger Case knew very well that Yang Smuts
Mo Zi was difficult to deal with. This man had the conservatism of the British, the stubbornness of the Boers, and the moderation of the southern Africans.
That's right, it's the mean.
This word has been used more and more recently to describe southern Africans. Moderate does not mean mediocre or without opinions, but is a complimentary term that is impartial, fair and even, and standard.
For the British, the word "gold mean" is very familiar. In a sense, "gold mean" is the "continental balancing policy" from another perspective.
"So your Excellencies, two ministers, do you have anything new to add to my suggestions?" Roger Case hoped that the Southern African delegation would accept his suggestions, otherwise the London Naval Conference would not be able to proceed.
Southern Africa is the biggest variable right now.
Southern Africa, which has strong industrial capabilities, has enough strength to easily launch, let alone "Island" class aircraft carriers, G7 class battleships, or even battleships with larger displacements if the horsepower is fully unleashed.
From the perspective of strength, Southern Africa today is fully qualified to publicly declare like the British Empire before the outbreak of World War I: No matter how many battleships other countries build, if they build one, we will build two!
If this really happens, it will be a disaster for the world.
Of course, the British will definitely not reflect on it. What Southern Africa does is a disaster for the world.
So Britain, which has done this before, is it a disaster for the world?
Arthur was not present.
An Qi is immersed in searching for information.
Yang Smuts felt extremely comfortable. This kind of meeting was the perfect occasion for him as foreign minister.
"No, we totally agree." Roger Case was more surprised than surprised by Yang Smuts' answer.
The drowsy delegates immediately woke up.
what happened?
Southern Africa, which had been hard on the British in the previous meetings, actually compromised?
There is an inside story
There must be an inside story!
No need to ask, the United Kingdom and Southern Africa must have reached some kind of agreement, otherwise Yang Smuts would never agree to Roger Case's proposal.
"What happened between London and Pretoria?" Secretary of State Hull, who came to the meeting on behalf of the United States, urgently asked the members of the delegation around him, obviously caught off guard by the situation.
"Have southern Africans taken the wrong medicine?" French Prime Minister Joseph Paul Boncourt, who represented France at the meeting and was France's fourth prime minister this year, was equally surprised.
As a high-risk profession, the French Prime Minister lives up to his reputation.
Pierre Laval, who served as French Prime Minister earlier this year, resigned on February 20 and was replaced by André Tardieu.
This is the third time that André Tardieu has served as French Prime Minister, but he is still not a qualified Prime Minister. His term lasted only less than four months before he resigned.
Then came Edward Herriot, whose term lasted six months and 15 days.
Paul Boncourt had just succeeded Edouard Herriot as French Prime Minister a week ago, and then came directly to London to attend the naval conference. This made Paul Boncourt's career as prime minister full of crises.
If the naval meeting is fruitless.
Or the outcome of the naval meeting cannot reach France's most ideal level, then Paul Boncourt can now prepare to write a letter of resignation.
"What's going on?" Paolo Taone di Leifer, who represented Italy at the naval meeting, was equally surprised. He is Italy's only naval marshal. He has retired but is still in good health.
Leifer's location is right next to Angel, separated by an aisle.
Although Italy and Southern Africa have conflicts of interest in the Mediterranean, the relationship between Italy and Southern Africa is actually pretty good. This should be attributed to Russia, which is obsessed with the Black Sea outlet, and France, which also hopes to win the support of Southern Africa.
Therefore, the current friendship between Italy and southern Africa is maintained by Russia and France.
For the same reason, the friendly relations between southern Africa and France depend on Italy.
And the current situation in the Mediterranean can be maintained because southern Africa, France, and Italy all have a common enemy.
Do you think the common enemy is Russia?
No, it's the UK.
Although Egypt is now independent, the Suez Canal is still under British control.
As long as the Suez Canal is still controlled by Britain, Britain will be the common enemy of all countries in the Mediterranean.
"For the sake of world peace, we are prepared to dismantle the four 'Island' class aircraft carriers that are about to be completed!" Angel's answer simply shocked Leifer.
Isn’t it time to dismantle the aircraft carrier that is about to be completed?
I didn't expect that you, An Qi, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, would actually learn to lie now. Where is your integrity?
Where is your justice?
Where is your fairness and justice?
The British are living bandits, follow them!
It's a pity that Leifer can only think about it, but he must never say these words.
Angel's voice was loud and clear, and everyone could hear her clearly even in the noisy venue.
Yamamoto Isoroku and Kagoya Konobu also heard it very clearly, and they had different reactions.
If the 32,000-ton "Island" class aircraft carrier is dismantled in Southern Africa, will Japan follow suit?
Everyone used to think that the "Island" class aircraft carrier was only 30,000 tons. As a result, Arthur and Angel accidentally cheated the real tonnage by the cunning Roger Keyes, which shocked everyone.
It's not that Southern Africa can't build warships over 30,000 tons, it just doesn't want to build them.
The "Yamato" being built by Japan has a standard displacement of 65,000 tons. If the "island" is demolished in southern Africa, will Japan demolish the "Yamato"?
There is no need to ask this question. Even if all the warships in southern Africa are dismantled, Japan will not dismantle the "Yamato".
But the feeling of being grilled was really bad. Isoroku Yamamoto immediately felt how uncomfortable Arthur and Angel were in the past few days.
The one who is even more on pins and needles is Kawu Xingxuan.
The person who has spoken on behalf of Japan before has always been Kaya Konobu.
However, ever since Yamamoto Isoroku told Kagoya Kōnobu to shut up, Kagoya Kōnobu has honestly shut up and said nothing.
The head of the dignified delegation was treated so rudely by Isoroku Yamamoto. The scene in which Isoroku Yamamoto threatened Konobu Kaya has now become the latest joke among representatives from various countries participating in the meeting.
"Really? That's awesome!" Roger Case blurted out.
"Haha, of course it's true." An Qi sneered. You could hear a pin drop in the venue. Everyone was waiting for An Qi's next words.
Angel lives up to expectations: "As long as Italy demolishes the Vittorio Veneto under construction"
Leifer's face suddenly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
"As long as France is willing to demolish the Richelieu under construction"
"Don't even think about it!" Boncourt also blurted out. As the prime minister, he was really under too much pressure.
An Qi glanced at Boncourt with a slightly disgusted expression. Once you are a good artist, why don't you mess with your art? Why do you need to take a trip into this muddy water?
Paul Boncourt wrote the book "Art and People's Livelihood" in 1912.
"What I want to ask you most is that a certain country in East Asia is building a battleship with a full load displacement of 70,000 tons," Angel continued to break the news.
"Shut up, you are slandering Hong Guoguo!" Yamamoto Isoroku suddenly exploded. Unexpectedly, An Qi actually broke the news publicly on this occasion.
All data on "Yamato" are absolutely confidential to the Japanese government.
Then the problem comes.
Since it is "absolutely secret", how do people in southern Africa know?
Has the Japanese Empire been penetrated to this extent by southern Africa?
If so, what else is known about southern Africa other than Yamato's displacement?
It’s scary to think about it!
"Slander? Do you dare to let us board your Nagato and Mutsu and use a ruler to measure the caliber of the main guns of Nagato and Mutsu?" An Qibubu Pressing on, the main gun caliber of "Nagato" and "Mutsu" is 410, which has exceeded the 406 stipulated in the "Washington Naval Treaty" and "London Naval Treaty".
"Nonsense!" Yamamoto Isoroku's face turned pale, he stood up angrily and walked away.
Other members of the Japanese delegation followed suit.
Does this mean a public withdrawal?
However, this is not the first time for Japan. Japan has already played this trick during the Disarmament Conference. After the League of Nations investigation team submitted the "Lytton Report", Japan also directly withdrew from the League of Nations.
Anyway, these international agreements are just toilet paper to the Japanese.