While Nyasaland was carrying out education and medical reforms, the southern African fleet heading to the United States to attend the Washington Naval Conference set off from Walvis Bay to Portsmouth, preparing to join the British delegation before heading to the United States.
The Southern African fleet consists of three warships and one supply ship. The flagship is the newly commissioned heavy cruiser "Johannesburg", supplemented by two destroyers.
Originally, Roark was planning to appoint Secretary of the Navy Bridges as the head of the regiment and Barton as the deputy captain. However, when the representatives of the British Commonwealth's colonies and overseas territories were selected, Roark found that Bridges was unlikely to be qualified, so he had no choice.
Instead of serving as the leader himself, he led the team to the United States.
The British delegation to the Washington Naval Conference was headed by Arthur James Balfour, Foreign Secretary and Master of the Imperial Secret Service, John Jellicoe, Secretary of the Navy, and Auckland Campbell Jets, the British Ambassador to the United States.
Yes, the same Balfour who proposed the "Balfour Declaration".
Viscount Glaston, Governor-General of Australia, who went to the United States on behalf of Australia.
Representing Canada at the Washington Naval Conference was Robert Laird Bowden, who served as Prime Minister of Canada during the World War.
Representing New Zealand in the United States was New Zealand Supreme Court Justice John William Salmon.
Representing India is Varingman Sankaranayana Srinvasa Sastri, a member of the Indian Secretariat.
Oops, this name is so long. If he were the protagonist, each chapter could easily save 500 words.
July 3rd, in the southern waters of the Celtic Sea.
Rock sat on the only chair in the bridge of the heavy cruiser "Johannesburg". This chair was originally the captain's position. Now that Rock has boarded the "Johannesburg", this chair belongs to Rock.
Also going to the United States with Roque were Owen, who had just taken over as foreign minister, as well as Stoudemire and Sidney Milner.
"When we attend the Washington Naval Conference, shall we negotiate with London together or separately?" Irving has not yet figured out the process of the Washington Naval Conference.
"Most likely together." Roque is not sure yet, but most likely they are still together.
"That would be terrible -" Owen looked sad. If Southern Africa participates in the Washington Naval Conference as a part of the United Kingdom, then Southern Africa's interests will definitely be greatly affected.
Given the importance the UK attaches to its navy, I am afraid that the UK will not give Southern Africa much of its share, except for capital ships. Since Southern Africa does not build capital ships anyway, it still attaches great importance to the aircraft carrier Rock.
"Don't worry too much, it all depends on man-made efforts." Roque was not in a hurry. Based on the contribution of southern Africa in the world war, southern Africa was fully qualified to participate in the Washington Naval Conference alone.
Of course, this will have to wait until Roark and Belfort meet.
What Rock is worried about now is not the naval meeting, but Balfour's "Balfour Declaration".
After Rothschild took the initiative to leak the "Balfour Declaration" to the media, Balfour was roasted on the fire by Rothschild.
Originally, Balfour hoped to carve out part of the mandate area in Southern Africa, but Southern Africa decisively rejected it.
It is not that Britain has no colonies in the Middle East. Egypt is so big that it is easy to resettle some refugees. Why must they be resettled in the Southern African Trust Area?
"Are we really going to abandon the capital ships?" Owen is still the traditional "big ship and cannon" and can't keep up with Rock's rhythm.
"Capital ships are about to be eliminated by the world. Developing them now is a waste of resources." Rock is adamant about pragmatism. He doesn't even have to think about capital ships. He can strive for more aircraft carriers and submarines.
The Washington Naval Conference in another time and space did not reach an agreement on the issue of submarines. The main dispute occurred between Britain and France. Britain was worried that France had too many submarines and would pose a threat to the British navy; France insisted on building more submarines to maintain its own
Benefits around the world.
The United States, Japan, and Italy do not have high demand for submarines. The United States does not like them, Italy does not need them, and Japan cannot afford them.
Japan seems to be very aggressive now. In fact, almost all the money earned during the World War has been sucked up by the navy. If the United States does not propose to convene the Washington Naval Conference, Japan's current shipbuilding scale will be maintained for at most one or two years. Japan
The government's finances will be completely ruined by the navy.
"It would be good to build one or two ships as flagships -" Owen's face was filled with regret. Britain and the United States often use the Sovereign-class South Dakota, but the largest warship in southern Africa is a cruiser -
The difference is really quite big.
British Sovereign class battleship, tons.
The six South Dakota-class battleships under construction in the United States, tons.
Japan's Mutsu Ton.
Even the Italian battleship Durio has tons, and the largest battleship in southern Africa is 9,500 tons——
Alas, I am simply too embarrassed to see anyone.
"The Navy's aircraft carrier Transvaal, which is about to start construction, has tons, and the Nyasaland will be built next. Isn't this enough as a flagship?" Rock also wants to save face. A 9,500-ton flagship is indeed not worthy of southern Africa.
The coffee position.
From the naming of these two aircraft carriers, we can see the status of Nyasaland in southern Africa.
Needless to say, Transvaal, the two twin cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg are unrivaled, so it is natural to name the first ship "Transvaal".
The twin stars in Nyasaland are Los Angeles and Port Edward. The Southern Africa Naval Command is in Port Edward, so it makes sense to name the second "Transvaal" class aircraft carrier after "Nyaasaland".
This time, Cape was the one taking the lead. There are actually two larger cities in Cape Town, one is Cape Town and the other is Kimberley. However, the overall level is too far behind that of Nyasaland, and it eventually lost out in the competition.
Come.
"As a flagship, an aircraft carrier is definitely not as good as a battleship." Owen was stubborn. In fact, the aircraft carrier looked just like a roll-on/roll-off ship, while the battleship had thick black pipes, which made it look more majestic.
Rock smiled and said nothing. A battleship costs several million. Once completed, it can only be used as an escort warship. Its effect is not as good as that of a light cruiser or destroyer. Whoever wants to build one can build it. Anyway, southern Africa does not build one.
On the afternoon of the 5th, the fleet arrived at Portsmouth and joined the British fleet preparing to attend the Washington Naval Conference.
The British fleet consists of six warships, the flagship of which is the battleship Queen Elizabeth that served during the World War.
Although there was some unpleasantness between Balfour and Roque, Balfour still prepared a grand welcome dinner to welcome Roque.
During the banquet, Balfour indeed discussed the "Balfour Declaration" with Roque.
Compared with before, Roque's attitude has softened. It is OK to demarcate the territory, but it cannot be done in vain, and the area cannot be too big.
Even if a part of the land is set aside for those refugees, Rock is confident enough to keep them honest, and he wants to expand while carrying out genocide on the indigenous people like in another time and space, dreaming!
"With a total of 25,000 refugees, how much space do we need? It is unrealistic to build a country. A country with 25,000 people is really too small. Why not let them go to South America, give them an island, and let them do whatever they want.
"Roark said lightly, giving Rothschild an island to see how he could expand.
"Locke, Mr. Rothschild hopes to get the Holy Land -" Balfour was in a dilemma. Britain had many overseas territories, but Rothschild was interested in the Holy City and no one else wanted it.
"The Holy City - the Holy City has been demolished by the Sultanate of Najd." Roque confessed that he couldn't bear the blame, so he might as well give it to the Sultanate of Najd.
"The Holy City was demolished?" Balfour was simply shocked. The Holy City is not only a holy city for other religions, but also a holy city for Christianity. Otherwise, the Crusades would have been fought for hundreds of years.
"Yes, it seems to be an overall renovation of the Holy City. All the previous buildings, including the city walls, have been demolished. Now the place seems to be called Rashid -" Roque's attention to the Middle East is obviously insufficient. Now Roque is getting more and more concerned.
The more I understand, the six meetings a day that Winston said, and one meeting for two hours may be true.
"——" Belfort was completely speechless, and he actually felt slightly relaxed deep inside.
If Balfort really gives the Holy City to those refugees, then Balfort may also be under tremendous pressure.
So it’s better to dismantle it, it’s great!
"How are we going to talk to the Americans?" Rock changed the topic and did not dwell on this topic.
Well, easy 404.
"Of course it is in the name of the Commonwealth. During the world war, we made huge sacrifices and ultimately maintained world peace. We do not want another arms race, but we are not afraid of competition." Balfour, as the director of the Secret Academy
His uncle is the former British Prime Minister Salisbury, the same Salisbury in Rhodesia.
This is also the origin of family education, and there is no doubt that it comes from a political family.
"So what can we get in southern Africa?" Roque said bluntly. The British government also made a good calculation. Binding southern Africa with the British Empire will help Britain strive for greater interests.
"What do you want?" Belfort also said it bluntly. There is no point in talking in circles at this time. Open the skylight and speak openly, don't hide it.
"Aircraft carrier -" Rock did not mention submarines. Anyway, Britain, France, the United States, Japan and Italy cannot reach a consensus on this issue. By then, Southern Africa will build as many as it wants.
"No battleship?" Belfort was surprised by Rock's choice.
"Don't--" Rock was decisive, but the reason he gave was very strange: "--we can't afford it!"
Belfort immediately looked at Rock with contempt. What reason is this?!!!
If an aircraft carrier is equipped with carrier-based aircraft, the cost will be much higher than that of a battleship.
Construction of a new aircraft carrier is about to begin in Southern Africa, and the British government also knows that this kind of thing cannot be hidden from the British government. Even though Brad covers the sky in Southern Africa, there are always corners that cannot be covered.