Chapter 282: The Saint Vincent Class Battleship
Arthur's efforts to recruit talent lasted for four days. In addition to Alexander Fleming and his mentor Dr. Wright, Arthur personally visited several other renowned physicists and chemists, such as Moseley, Joseph Thomson, William Henry Bragg, William Lawrence Bragg, Charles Geoffrey Barkla, and others. The list of potential recruits contained over 100 physicists, chemists, historians, novelists, artists, scientists, and medical researchers, totaling 204 people.
After four days of hard work, Arthur and Manager David managed to secure commitments from 115 individuals to join Australasia. Nearly 70 others showed signs of wavering and needed more time to consider. Only about 20 individuals outright refused to leave the British Empire, and Arthur had no means to change their minds. After all, every country has its patriots. If all goes well, Australasia would gain over 100 talented individuals from the list of 204, which would be a huge boost to its high-end talent pool.
However, Arthur's attempts to recruit talent in the military industry were not as successful. This was understandable, given that by the second decade of the 20th century, the rivalry and competition between the two major military blocs in Europe had become increasingly intense. European countries had become more protective of their military talent. Under such circumstances, it was nearly impossible for Arthur to attract many military talents using money and welfare, as he had done with other fields.
On June 25, 1910, a piece of exciting news for both Britain and Australasia was jointly announced by the British and Australasian governments. After long and friendly negotiations, both governments decided to continue honoring the previously signed assistance treaty. The terms of the treaty were strengthened, with many new provisions added, building upon the agreement signed ten years earlier.
In terms of assistance, the British government agreed to increase its support for the Australasian government. The preliminary estimate set the annual aid amount at no more than 10 million pounds, but at least 7 million pounds. This aid would be directed towards military industry, industrial development, machinery, and other sectors. Arthur was particularly interested in France's submarine technology, which was included in the aid treaty.
Of course, Australasia would not receive all these benefits for free. A peace treaty was signed between Britain and Australasia, allowing the ports in Australasia's Timor and New Zealand territories to be opened to the British Empire. The British Empire's fleets and merchant ships would be allowed to dock there, serving as transit and supply bases.
Arthur had no objections to this. Given the strong relationship between Australasia and Britain, Arthur saw no reason to refuse British merchant ships and warships docking at these ports. The docking of merchant ships would also stimulate local economies, and Arthur was not concerned about the security of these ports after they were opened to Britain.
As long as Britain and Australasia were not in direct opposition, there was no reason for Britain to take any hostile actions against Australasia.
Additionally, Australasia and Britain reached a further trade agreement. Australasia would officially become a major supplier of food and meat to Britain. Arthur no longer needed to worry about the surpluses of food and meat in Australasia, as British demand would provide a safety net, especially with the potential for wartime consumption.
This trade agreement also included the export of medical supplies, machinery, advanced systems, and various talents from Britain to Australasia.
During the reign of Edward VII, the British government had taken a somewhat neutral stance regarding Australasia's talent recruitment. They neither supported nor opposed it. However, under the reign of George V, at least before World War I, the British government expressed support for Australasia's efforts to recruit talent.
This was important for Australasia's recruitment of British talent, and the number of British immigrants should see a temporary increase.
George V was of the same generation as Arthur, being his cousin. However, George V, like Wilhelm II, was already 45 years old, a full generation older than Arthur. This age gap meant that George V and Arthur didn't have much in common, although they outwardly presented themselves as very close, almost like brothers.
For Arthur, it was indeed necessary to maintain a good relationship with Britain. Given the current situation, the Entente seemed to have the upper hand. Historically, the Entente had still won the war even after Russia dropped out.
Currently, Russia, while still dealing with some internal issues, was much stronger than in history. Russia still held most of the interests in the Far East and was the absolute dominant power there. Meanwhile, the island nation, which should have risen after the Russo-Japanese War, had stagnated due to only gaining control of the Korean Peninsula and was now the weakest among the great powers.
The island nation had seven battleships, but they were all outdated, lacking significant combat power. Though they had plans to build dreadnoughts, these plans, established in 1907, had been delayed due to the lack of British support. Without British aid, the island nation could not build the dreadnoughts on its own.
Arthur had been closely watching the situation in the island nation. According to intelligence from the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau, the island nation's dreadnought development had encountered difficulties. It was unlikely that the ships would be completed on time as originally planned, and it might even take longer than expected.
For Arthur, however, this was not a major concern. After all, the island nation was a potential adversary for Australasia. The island nation's slow progress in building dreadnoughts might not be a bad thing for Australasia.
Having established good relations with Britain, Australasia had a solid foundation for relations with the major countries in both the Entente and the Central Powers. This would be beneficial for Australasia when it eventually chose to join World War I, allowing it to join the more advantageous side.
However, Arthur did not plan to directly engage in the European war before the major European powers had suffered significant losses. If Europe's damage was too severe, the rise of the United States would be inevitable.
Arthur wanted Europe to retain the ability to compete with the U.S. after two world wars, preventing a situation like in history, where after the World Wars, European colonial empires collapsed due to their inability to resist the liberal nationalism promoted by the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
The collapse of the colonial system would be a significant loss for the old European powers and could also present challenges for Arthur.
After accepting George V's invitation, Arthur visited the Royal Navy fleet stationed near London and boarded the first British dreadnought, Dreadnought. Australasia's three dreadnoughts also participated in joint training with the Royal Navy, and from the display of their combat ability, it was clear that the Monarch-class battleships and Dreadnought had comparable fighting power.
George V was also very interested in the dreadnoughts independently developed and manufactured by Australasia. In fact, George V had been known as the "Sailor Prince" because, as a naval cadet, he had been assigned to the battleship HMS Britannia to receive naval education.
During his service, George traveled through the Caribbean, South Africa, Australia, and British colonies, and even visited Norfolk in Virginia, South America, the Mediterranean, Egypt, and East Asia.
Because George V's older brother, Prince Albert, was still alive at the time and second in line to the throne, George's career was as a naval officer. However, George V's naval career was cut short by a severe case of typhoid.
Despite this, George V still had a deep love for the navy and ships, earning him the title "Sailor Prince."
Interestingly, during his naval service, George V was under the command of his uncle, Prince Alfred of Edinburgh. During this time, George V fell in love with both Princess Mary of Edinburgh and Princess Mary of the House of Württemberg.
Unfortunately, George's older brother Albert became engaged to Princess Mary, causing a rift between the two brothers. Tragically, just six weeks after the engagement, Albert died of pneumonia.
Albert's fiancée, Princess Mary, was subsequently betrothed to George V, becoming Queen Mary.
George V eventually married the woman he loved, though the process was somewhat tumultuous.
Seeing George V's interest in the Monarch-class battleships, Arthur invited him to tour the Australasia battleship. This gesture greatly endeared Arthur to George V, and during Arthur's stay in the British Empire, George V maintained a very close relationship with him.
Arthur seized the opportunity to make his request. He asked to exchange the design plans of the Monarch battleship with the British Empire in exchange for the design plans of the Saint Vincent-class battleships, currently being constructed in Britain, to improve Australasia's naval ship designs.
George V hesitated. The Saint Vincent-class was an improved version of the Bellerophon-class, and its firepower, armor, and speed were all superior to the previous battleships. However, it was not the most advanced battleship Britain had designed at the time, as newer designs were already in the works.
After some consideration, George V agreed to discuss it with the British Cabinet. Arthur understood that George V had not yet officially ascended the throne, and his influence within the Cabinet was still limited.
Arthur would have to wait for the Cabinet's decision, but George V's willingness to consider the request was a positive sign.
After the talks, Arthur instructed Manager David to visit some of the British Cabinet officials who had previously had good relations with his late father, Duke Alfred. Arthur was confident that with the right persuasion, he could gather enough support for the deal.
(End of Chapter)
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