Chapter 509: Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
“Kitchener was prepared for this, General,” the “Minister of the Navy” said. “He’s been waiting for this moment.”
Seeing Charles' confusion, the “Minister of the Navy” explained further, “He’s been supporting my push for the Dardanelles Campaign. It’s all part of a scheme.”
“You mean, he already knew that the Dardanelles Campaign would fail?” Charles wasn’t convinced.
“No,” the “Minister of the Navy” shook his head. “But winning the Dardanelles Campaign wouldn’t have much impact on the army. Losing, however, would be a huge boon to the army.”
Charles thought for a moment, then nodded slowly.
The Battle of the Dardanelles involved the British Royal Navy’s main forces along with hundreds of thousands of colonial troops, facing a feeble Ottoman Empire.
If they won, it would be expected.
If they lost, however, the British Royal Navy would lose face, and the focus would naturally shift to the army.
“Furthermore…” the “Minister of the Navy” frowned, his face taking on a look of bitterness. “While we were considering how to defeat the Ottoman Empire, Kitchener was already working on securing loans from the Americans!”
“Loans from the Americans?” Charles didn’t quite understand how that could be connected to the war.
The next moment, he realized: supplies! It’s all about supplies!
Securing American loans would grant them access to supplies, which would give them control over the military and shape the war’s direction—not just for the French, but for the British as well.
The “Minister of the Navy” gave a slight nod. “I think you’ve figured it out.”
“The Americans, under the influence of the Monroe Doctrine, have always sought to maintain ‘true neutrality.’”
“So, in principle, America couldn’t offer loans to the Entente Powers, let alone provide military goods and supplies.”
“But Kitchener easily broke through this barrier.”
The “Minister of the Navy” sighed lightly and looked up at Charles. “Do you know how he managed it?”
Charles shook his head, realizing how limited his business intelligence was. As a capitalist, and one about to enter the American market, he hadn’t even known this.
“He used American financial syndicates as the entry point,” the “Minister of the Navy” said.
“It was a very clever move. The first deal was for $500 million in arms, and the commission to the Morgan syndicate (a Jewish financial group on Wall Street) was 2%, which amounted to $10 million.”
“As long as they could facilitate this deal, they’d earn this huge commission.”
The “Minister of the Navy” spread his hands. “No one can resist the lure of money, especially capitalists who treat wealth like life itself.”
Charles gave a wry smile. He could certainly relate to that.
From here, it wasn’t hard to predict: the capitalists would do everything in their power to lobby the government, and they would sway public opinion as well:
“If you don’t approve the loan and refuse this business deal, trade won’t happen, production will be limited, and industry will suffer.”
“Then, labor and capital will stagnate, finance will become chaotic, and the working class will become unstable, with employment falling!”
…
These were concrete concerns tied directly to American citizens, affecting their standard of living and their interests.
It didn’t take long before the citizens themselves started to support the idea:
“Shouldn’t we be thinking about our own livelihood?”
“Why not earn the money we can? No one would refuse business opportunities!”
“The war is on the other side of the Pacific; what does it have to do with us?”
And so, loans were approved, and a large quantity of war materials was shipped from the United States to the Western Front and to Britain. However, most of it was controlled by Kitchener.
The “Minister of the Navy” continued, “With these supplies, Kitchener no longer needs to worry about the navy, or even Parliament.”
“Two months ago, the House of Commons rejected Kitchener’s proposal to expand the army, but Kitchener ignored it. He invoked ‘wartime emergency’ powers and ordered the recruitment of volunteers, quickly expanding the army to nearly a million men.”
“You know what this will do for Kitchener.”
Seeing Charles’ blank expression, General Winter added, “Kitchener wants the army to lead the final victory in this war, which would earn him enough political capital.”
Charles suddenly understood—it was all about preparing for the position of Prime Minister.
The fame brought by victory was just one benefit. The million-man army and their families would also become voters.
Charles looked at the “Minister of the Navy.” “This is also one of the reasons why you pushed so hard for the Dardanelles Campaign, isn’t it?”
The “Minister of the Navy” readily admitted, “Why not win the victory if it’s guaranteed?”
But in his view, this was a victory that seemed assured but ultimately ended in disaster, which opened the door for Kitchener to take advantage.
The “Minister of the Navy” regretted not taking Charles’ advice more seriously at the time.
Every word, every assessment Charles had made about the Dardanelles Campaign had been spot on. In hindsight, he had been absolutely right.
This man was practically a prophet!
If only they had followed through on just one of his suggestions, they wouldn’t be in this uncontrollable situation today.
Charles pondered for a while and said, “I still don’t understand. What does this have to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you, Major,” General Winter leaned forward, his upper body moving closer to Charles. “The British Army’s rise to power will allow them to control the French Army and order you to fight according to British plans, which will put you in danger…”
“I understand that,” Charles interrupted General Winter. “What I don’t understand is the meaning of our cooperation. You want me to help the Royal Navy?”
“Yes,” the “Minister of the Navy” nodded. “Help the Royal Navy regain control, so Parliament can have a say again.”
“And then?” Charles asked. “What will change?”
“Then, we can use Parliament to limit Kitchener’s power,” the “Minister of the Navy” said. “We’ll give you your freedom back, Major.”
“I’m sorry,” Charles laughed. “By then, we might all be wiped out. Moreover, I think Kitchener’s power comes from the American loans and supplies. Parliament has already been swayed by that, and so has the French Parliament.”
“You’re right, Major,” the “Minister of the Navy” said calmly. “But not long ago, the Germans announced the implementation of ‘unrestricted submarine warfare.’ They will target all merchant ships heading to Britain, including those from America.”
(Note: The most well-known declaration of Germany’s “unrestricted submarine warfare” occurred in 1917, but it was actually first announced in 1915. However, due to fears of stirring anti-German sentiment in Europe and especially of drawing the U.S. into the war, it was rescinded at the end of that year.)
Charles suddenly understood the “Minister of the Navy’s” intentions.
If the Royal Navy could play a role in countering German submarines, then supplies wouldn’t be entirely under Kitchener’s control. The Royal Navy’s role would be undeniable, and in fact, it could become the decisive military force.
The “Minister of the Navy” looked at Charles with hopeful eyes. “I’m not sure if you can solve this issue, but General Winter says there’s nothing that can stop you.”