Chapter 919 The British Attitude 2
"If it is only a small part of the Dutch East Indies, then it is acceptable." Austin Chamberlain, the leader of the Conservative Party in the parliament, raised his eyes and said.
"Will the Japanese accept it?" someone whispered.
"We can actually wait. The Su Xiong fleet will not cause us any trouble in a short time. The two sides in the Mediterranean have been facing off, and in the North Sea? The German High Seas Fleet also needs to replenish its rest, and more importantly, the prince of Bavaria , now we are going to find trouble with the Russians, and as for the other people in the High Seas Fleet? I think they are not as high as this prince." Sir Fisher, who participated in the meeting, said.
"So how should we respond to the Japanese?" asked the Foreign Secretary.
"We understand the territorial claims of the Japanese Empire to parts of New Guinea. However, other areas, whether it is Sumatra, Borneo or Java, are too big and too far for Japan." Asquith thought for a while and said .
"Is it that simple?" the Foreign Secretary said in disbelief.
"Of course, what else shall we say?" Asquith asked. In fact, Asquith is not as relaxed as he appears now. The recent war situation of the entire Allied Powers can be described as gloomy and bleak. The Russians are tremblingly waiting for the siege of the Bavarian and Bohemian legions. After the elite of the Bavarian Army withdrew from the Western Front, although the Western Front launched a counterattack and pushed the front back some, the price paid for moving dozens or even several square kilometers was too high. In addition to the need for a new force in the military, the Allies also need some good news politically and in terms of morale!
"In addition, Lloyd George has indicated that he is unwilling to continue negotiations on this issue in Japan." said the Foreign Secretary.
"I understand this. Facing such an unfriendly and aggressive country is indeed very troublesome. The Japanese proposal is difficult for us to accept. The representative's question can not be urgent. Mr. Lloyd George can use this leisure time now. time to go on a trip. Tell him we will send new representatives in a month," Asquith said.
Although the Japanese have thrown out their trump cards, the British do not want to take over immediately. As an empire, they do value immediate interests, but they are also considering the future. They need longer time to figure out Japan's bottom line, and they need to reduce the benefits that Japan can obtain as much as possible. At least from the current situation, it is absolutely impossible for the Japanese to occupy Sumatra. Imagine that the Japanese fleet is deployed on The most important fortress in the Far East is at the doorstep of the British. Thinking about the fact that the Japanese can enter and exit the Indian Ocean at any time, the British find it unacceptable.
Subsequently, after the Japanese issued a note, they seemed to have forgotten about this matter. The British only expressed their support for Japan's acquisition of the western half of New Guinea through diplomatic channels, but were opposed to other parts of the island.
Japan did not continue to bargain with the British on this matter. Instead, take real action in response.
On the third day after the British informed the Japanese of their opinions, the Japanese government once again sent a note to the British Ambassador to Japan, stating that Japan had decided to halve the number of personnel sent to Europe this month "due to domestic needs". At the same time, it said, In order to meet the need for "confrontation with the U.S. fleet," warships performing escort missions in the Indian Ocean will be partially withdrawn.
After a brief confrontation, the two sides returned to calm, but under the seemingly calm sea, undercurrents were surging. Katsura Taro, who was born in the army, was not very anxious about invading the Dutch East Indies, but as the second-generation leader of the navy, Yamamoto Gonbei was very concerned about continuing to go south. To this end, he also specially found Saionji Konobo, the "tumbler" in Japanese politics.
"The British proposal cannot be accepted. We have gained too little. And now, when the Imperial Navy and the U.S. Navy are confronting each other, it is inappropriate to brazenly attack the Dutch East Indies. If the Empire can reach a certain level with the United States, If you can reach a tacit understanding, for example, if both parties take a step back, then I will still support your opinion." Faced with Yamamoto Gonbei's request, Saionji Konobo replied.
When facing the United States alone, Japan is under great pressure. Although Japan also knows that the United States is not ready for war at all. Among other things, the naval base in Hawaii has not been repaired yet. The U.S. fleet only has the ability to come to the Far East. As for fighting in the Far East? Let's forget it first. Apart from anything else, the food and clothing needed for the confrontation between the U.S. fleet in the Bismarck Sea have to be shipped from the west coast of the United States. Materials that are considered terrifying in the eyes of Japan are just like that in the eyes of Americans... ....
The two sides have been facing off for several months, but in fact nothing has been done. No one has conceded an inch of ground. Of course, neither has advanced an inch of ground... This confrontation has no meaning now except that it is more like a means for both sides to express their attitudes. Both parties are considering calling it a day, or not being so tight.
Both sides have reasons to wait. The Japanese naturally hope that after the Allied Powers win, they can rely on the Allied Powers to obtain German islands. Of course, the most important thing is that Japan has already developed a strong interest in the Dutch East Indies. He needs to refocus his scattered efforts.
And what about the United States? Naturally, I hope that the Allies will win and then work with Germany to force Japan to withdraw from the former German Far East colonies. Both sides know that this competition is not about a moment. Of course, everyone now lacks an opportunity, or a third party to ease the conflict between the two. After all, both parties really don't want to take action now...
But how do you say something? Some things just won't happen if you don't want them to. Just when the entire European continent was in a mess, and after the British and German navies, the world's first and second largest navies, had fierce and epic collisions in the Indian Ocean and the North Sea, the two navies known as the world The third navy also sparked sparks of "gay love" in the distant Pacific Ocean!
After 14 years apart, the United States and Japan led to a firefight due to a rather miraculous accident. This thing is full of fairy tales and a hint of weird atmosphere from beginning to end. When Prince Ruprecht learned about this incident, he was not only glad that there was no possibility of reconciliation between the United States and the Allied Powers, but also wrote this line in his diary - "Finally in line with the It’s history”!
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