The Rise Of Australasia

"There's no need to exaggerate, Prie Minister Kent. However, in any case, increasing our number of reservists is a necessary task. Even though I do not know when the European war will start, for Australasia to advance further, we might have to participate in this war that could have been avoided." Arthur quickly stopped Prime Minister Kent's exaggerated statement and laughed as he explained.

It is not entirely necessary for Australasia to desperately join one of the two military blocs.

With Australasia's geographical location being far away from Europe, it is certain that its native land will not be threatened.

In this situation, how could Arthur possibly exhaust Australasia's potential for Britain and France?

"If that is the case, Your Majesty, I suggest that we only require adult male citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 to participate in military training once a year, and they can become good reservists." Prime Minister Kent said: "If we have no intention of sending large-scale troops, I believe that 220,000 regular troops and 300,000 reservists are enough to ensure the safety of our native land at any time."

Arthur nodded in agreement and said: "Let's focus the training on adult male citizens in non-important posts. Hold military training sessions every six months or annually, with training time lasting at least half a month. These participants can be provided with funds equivalent to the average income as remuneration for their participation in military training."

If they can receive payment for participating in military training, it is expected that no one will refuse.

After all, becoming a reservist only requires one or two training sessions per year, which will not interfere with normal work and life.

"Have the British experts arrived as promised? If I remember correctly, their diplomatic team should arrive soon, right?" After deciding on the matter of the reservists, Arthur turned to Prime Minister Kent with a smile and inquired.

When they sold the airship technology to Britain, both parties had agreed on the timing of sending experts.

The British government had also reached an intention with Australasia to send a diplomatic visiting group to Australasia to achieve further cooperation between the two countries.

In fact, this also represented Australasia moving closer to Britain once again. If previously the German aid to Australasia was far greater than the British aid, then from the moment King George V ascended to the throne, Australasia and Britain became closer, and the aid given to Australasia by Britain gradually surpassed the scale of German assistance.

By now, British aid has far surpassed that of German aid in terms of warships, military industry, industry, chemical industry, education, medical care, talent, grain, and other aspects, as great communication between Australasia and Britain has been established.

It is no exaggeration to say that Australasia is an important strategic partner of the British Empire, providing various supplies such as mineral resources, grain, and meat.

In fact, looking at the map, Australasia's geopolitical location is very important for the British Empire.

Australasia is situated in Oceania and serves to effectively protect the Malacca Strait under the control of the British Empire, which is the key to communication between East Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, and even Europe.

Australasia is separated from India by only the Indian Ocean, with India being the core of the British Empire's colonies and the region that Britain cannot lose.

The security issue of India alone is enough for the British to attach great importance to Australasia.

Furthermore, spanning across the Indian Ocean, Australasia poses a certain threat to Eastern and Southern Africa.

This further increases the importance of Australasia, whose geographical position can completely threaten the core of the British Empire's colonies.

Moreover, since the last conference, the British government has established a policy of abandoning the island nation and supporting Australasia as its core policy. They also wish to become closer to Australasia and jointly confront the hidden enemy, the United States.

In this situation, it is not surprising that the United Kingdom sent a diplomatic visiting group.

"Your Majesty, the experts promised by the British have basically arrived, with the last batch to arrive along with the British diplomatic visiting group. Thanks to these British experts, the expansion of our two shipyards has been progressing well, and even the Melbourne shipyard is expected to begin production by mid-next year," Prime Minister Kent nodded and said with a smile.

The British spared no effort in the expansion plans of the two shipyards in Australasia.

From the design of the shipyard expansion, to the various equipment and machinery, as well as various technical experts in the shipyards, British figures were everywhere.

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Under the guidance of these British experts, the expansion progress of the Melbourne and Oakland shipyards went smoothly. It is hoped that the Melbourne shipyard will complete the expansion by mid-1914, and the Oakland shipyard is expected to complete the expansion between late 1914 and early 1915.

This also means that by around 1915, Australasia will have one shipyard capable of building 30,000-ton warships, and two shipyards capable of building 20,000-ton warships.

With the help of British experts, even the most advanced Hope-class battleship in Australasia can now be built at the Melbourne and Oakland shipyards.

Of course, there are still at least two years left before that period, which also means that the scale of the expansion of the Australasian navy will not be significant within two years.

Arthur is also waiting for the military factory and shipyard to develop the 381mm caliber main gun.

With the technology of the 343mm caliber main gun, and the help of many British military industry experts, the 381mm main gun will surely be born sooner or later.

"Pay close attention to the reception of the British visiting group. The British are our most important partners, and we have the closest relationship with them," Arthur urged.

In order to continue expanding in Southeast Asia and Oceania's islands, it is essential to gain the support of the British.

Moreover, if Australasia wants to take over the German colonies in Oceania, it must have the consent of both Britain and France.

"I understand, Your Majesty. I will prepare the highest reception for the British delegation. The most luxurious hotel in Sydney has prepared the best rooms for them, just waiting for our guests to move in," Prime Minister Kent nodded.

After all, the British are currently the world's number one superpower, and their diplomatic groups will receive the highest local reception wherever they go.

Not to mention that Australasia is of the same root as Britain, even without Arthur's instructions, Prime Minister Kent would prepare the highest reception ceremony for the British delegation.

"Minister Raul, I hope that the Ministry of Defense can submit a plan report on the expansion of colonial divisions as soon as possible. I hope that by 1915, we can have at least 15 colonial divisions, and make them capable of fighting," After instructing Prime Minister Kent, Arthur looked at Minister Raul and said.

One colonial division has nearly 20,000 soldiers, and 15 colonial divisions represent nearly 300,000 soldiers.

But this is not much, after all, Australasia currently has millions of indigenous people, and it is no problem to mobilize 300,000 adult indigenous people to form 15 colonial divisions.

These 15 colonial divisions with 300,000 troops will, if all goes well, become the Australasian expeditionary force, replacing the regular Australasian troops in the war.

Of course, regular divisions will also be deployed, but just not as many. For Arthur, he doesn't care how many native divisions die, but if the regular divisions suffer heavy casualties, Arthur would truly feel hurt.