The Rise of Australasia

As mentioned before, France’s industry suffered significant losses in the war. Even by 1920, it had only recovered to about 60% of the pre-war period, still a considerable distance from its peak in 1913.

Currently, France’s industrial scale is even lower than Australasia, so if judged by industrial scale, France is at a disadvantage.

But if taken from an economic perspective, although France also suffered considerable losses, their economic losses were far less severe than their industrial ones.

In contrast to the losses in France’s manufacturing sector, capitalist interests were willing to rebuild its economy.

After all, the rehabilitation of the French economy was good news for the capitalists. Once the economy recovered, capitalists could oppress the common people without restraint.

Moreover, with compensation payments from both the defeated nations and the United States, the French economy, although not as good as before the war, was far from the worst in history.

From an economic standpoint, no matter how bad things were in France, they were still the third-largest in the world. Consequently, its naval size and proportion could never fall too behind.

However, if judged by industrial scale, France’s industry would be smaller than that of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australasia, almost on par with Italy. Naturally, the French would not be satisfied with this.

Facing the interrogations of the two major powers, the Island Nation’s representative seemed somewhat lacking in self-confidence.

After all, industry and strength are relatively fair and better proof of a country’s overall strength.

Although the current military forces can also demonstrate a country’s strength, the armament-oriented thinking mentioned by the Australasian representative does indeed exist, which is something the Islanders cannot refute.

It cannot be said that the Island Nation maintains its current level of army and navy forces solely to ensure the security of the country.

Not to mention whether such a claim is credible, in the face of the Russian Civil War and an alliance between the United States and the Island Nation, other powers would immediately demand the Island Nation to disarm. After all, their current military strength is enough to guarantee the safety of the Island Nation.

Having no other choice, the Island Nation’s representative looked for help from his American ally, only to find that the American people appeared indifferent, with no intention of defending the Island Nation.

The Islanders cursed inwardly, but they dared not express dissatisfaction with the Americans on the surface. Instead, they could only argue against the views of Australasia and France, insisting: "This is not fair! Both economically and industrially, the Island Nation is at a considerable disadvantage. We cannot accept such a proposal!"

"Why?" The Russian representative, who did not have a good relationship with the Island Nation, also spoke up. Contrary to his previous inconspicuous attitude, he mocked: "Is it because your country’s armament-oriented thinking has been exposed? With the Island Nation’s current situation, neither industry nor economy can support such a scale of army and navy.

Your country’s unwillingness to give up its naval size and proportion is only a sign of greater ambition."

Stay connected via empire

Looking at all the countries present, their military strength is mostly linked to their economic and industrial levels. After all, small countries’ military strengths cannot be too strong.

Especially the Americans; based on industrial scale and economic level, the United States is undoubtedly the top of the world.

The military strength of the United States is not the strongest among the powers. In contrast, its comprehensive military strength lags behind Britain and France, making it a stark contrast with the extremist position of the Island Nation.

With the Americans unwilling to help the Island Nation, the Island Nation’s position in this conference becomes precarious. Nobody wanted to help them, and they seemed somewhat helpless against the joint attack by the major powers.

"If the Island Nation is unwilling to consider economic and industrial factors, how about looking at the actual controlled land area of each country?" At this point, Minister Grey delivered the final blow, smiling at the Island Nation’s representative and asking.

As mentioned before, powerful nations hardly lose out regarding land area. After all, besides their native land, they can also occupy many colonies. In this era, colonies are also recognized.

Britain and France have a vast colonial system and are undoubtedly the two countries with the largest land areas in the world. (Considering the ongoing Russian Civil War)

Moreover, the United States and Australasia each hold large amounts of land, with a land area of several million square kilometers.

Even Italy, which is not prominent among the powers, occupies some colonies. In theory, its national territory also exceeds one million square kilometers.

Only the Island Nation, besides its native land, has no other recognized colonies.

Although the Island Nation has interests in East Asia, the problem is that other powers also have interests in East Asia. Naturally, East Asia cannot be the Island Nation’s colony.

As a result, the Island Nation has one of the smallest land areas among the powers and is still the most disadvantaged, even trailing behind countries like Italy.

If viewed based on land area, this would be a devastating blow to the Island Nation.

The land area of the British Empire is more than 20 million square kilometers, and the French-controlled area is more than 10 million square kilometers.

Australasia’s land area is more than 9 million square kilometers, and the United States is not far behind.

In this situation, the Island Nation’s area of a few hundred thousand square kilometers looks quite miserable and is at a disadvantage in terms of naval size.

If the largest British Empire has a naval size of 1 million tons, then what would the Island Nation’s naval size be with just a few hundred thousand square kilometers? Tens of thousands of tons or just ten thousand tons?

Keep in mind that a battleship has a tonnage of more than 10,000 tons, and the current super dreadnoughts have a tonnage of 20,000 to 30,000 tons.

If the naval size is determined based on land area, the current Island Royal Navy can disband on the spot, equipping only some small and medium-sized warships, perhaps without exceeding a naval size of tens of thousands of tons.

After all, the conditions proposed by Britain-France-Australia are extremely unfavorable for the Island Nation, and the Americans’ lack of support makes the Island Nation’s representative somewhat angry and desperate.

It’s impossible for the Island Nation’s representatives to agree to the conditions proposed by Britain-France-Australia. If they agree, that means the Island Nation has no hope of rising.

Who dares to bear such a huge responsibility? If they really sign the relevant agreement, the Island National Representatives may be torn to pieces by the angry Islanders once they return to their country, just like in those anti-Japanese dramas.

"Mr. Grey, the conditions imposed by you are too harsh; I and the Island Nation government behind me cannot accept them," the Island Nation representative stood up and rebutted with slight desperation.

"Oh? Why, Island Nation representative? No one else has objected to these proposals; are you the only ones who are truly fair? This is utterly ridiculous!" Minister Grey would not appease this once sidekick and directly opened the ridicule mode, also attacking the American ally behind the Island Nation.

"Anyway, Mr. Grey, the Island Nation government will not recognize such a division. If you insist on such a proposal, we can only withdraw from this meeting.

I regret to say, goodbye." The Island Nation representative directly threw out what he believed to be a trump card, with the withdrawal from the naval conference, to threaten the British to take care of the Island Nation’s feelings as much as possible.

Withdraw from the conference?

Hearing the Island Nation say this, Minister Grey found it quite amusing at first.

The meeting of representatives from so many countries gathered here is not a joke, nor is it to simply hold a conference with no results.

In the end, this conference was convened by the British, and it was also related to the face of the British Government.

If the Island Nation government withdraws from the conference like this, it would basically mean openly slapping the face of the British Government.

Would the British Government accept such behavior? Absolutely impossible.

"Island Nation representative, I hope you take responsibility for your words. This conference is not for the benefit of any country but for world peace and stability. It’s for all humanity and all countries present here," Minister Grey smiled and spoke, his words not so gentle.

"I hope your government upholds a responsible attitude towards the entire world, not just for one’s own selfish desires, disturbing the order of the conference, and even considering leaving the conference." Minister Grey looked at the Island Nation representative and said significantly, "I allow your withdrawal from the conference, but if you cannot explain the withdrawal and gain the approval of all countries present, then I will consider your country to be provoking the British Empire and provoking all countries present.

The sacred dignity of the British Empire is inviolable, and I don’t think other countries present allow such things to happen."

Let alone the Islanders, even the United States behind the Islanders wouldn’t dare to openly provoke the British Empire.

As the currently strongest nation in the world, the British Empire’s power and status are still well recognized and fully capable of sanctioning any country.

As expected, after hearing Minister Grey’s open and veiled threats, the Island Nation representative’s forehead broke into cold sweat, and the pace of leaving the meeting room immediately stopped.

Swallowing cautiously, the Island Nation representative awkwardly explained, "I apologize for my previous reckless behavior. The Island Nation’s government respects this conference and looks forward to it bringing stable peace to the world and all countries."

At this point, the Island Nation representative no longer dared to look at the eyes of other country representatives. Without even thinking about it, they must be full of ridicule and contempt. After all, openly provoking the British Empire and so quickly backing down is not honorable.

But this is only natural, as the pressure from the British Empire is not something a single country can bear, especially pseudo-powers like the Island Nation, which has an unsteady foundation and needs support from other countries.

"Alright, everyone, let’s continue the conference. This is a meeting concerning the entire world and humanity. I hope representatives will consider other countries more when expressing opinions, not just for their own selfish desires." Minister Grey didn’t mind the awkward state of the Island Nation representative and announced the continuation of the conference.

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