Rise of Australia

Chapter 391 British and French Joint Visit
Although the war broke out for only four months, it was huge for all participating countries.

So far, Australasia has exported at least 500 million tons of grain, 50 rifles, hundreds of millions of bullets, various weapons and equipment, and strategic materials to Europe.

Including oil, coal, iron ore and other mineral resources, Australasia also sold a lot to the British Empire and France.

These trades also brought a lot of profits to Australasia, and at the same time pushed Australasia's economy forward, which is why Australasia was the only warring country with a rapidly growing economy during the war.

Thanks to the rapid expansion of the military industry, Australasia's industry has also ushered in considerable growth.

It is worth mentioning that the French have realized the harm their maverick military uniforms bring to the army, and are currently planning urgently to replace the military uniforms, replacing the existing military uniforms with colors that are less likely to be found.

And some factories in Australasia undertake the production of some military uniforms and helmets.

This has also given some civilian garment factories in Australasia a good opportunity for development.At least during this period of time, the market for military clothing is much higher than that of civilian clothing, because many materials are destroyed or intercepted by the enemy before they are sent to the soldiers.

Of course, the need for military uniforms in Russia is minimal.If you have to ask why, just look at the military uniforms worn by Russian recruits with bullet holes and patches.

Russians have clothes that are really stolen, even if they are from comrades who died in battle, as long as the military uniform is not damaged to a high degree, it is still of value.

There are no taboo weapons such as poison gas in the current European battlefield, but Arthur understands that if the war in Europe continues like this, the Germans will definitely not be able to sit still, and poison gas will definitely be used by the Germans.

In response to the possible use of poisonous gas by the Germans, and also to protect the Australasian army, under the order of Arthur, Australasian scientific researchers began to urgently study the gas mask, which was required by Arthur to isolate harmful Gas mask.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Arthur also asked people to study reliable and convenient masks to prevent the possible pandemic in a few years.

The influenza pandemic a few years later is not a small infectious disease. If there is no precaution, it is likely to bring a lot of casualties and losses to the country and the people.

Arthur is already preparing tensely for materials such as masks and disinfectant.The purpose is to wait for the arrival of the future pandemic, to reduce casualties to Australasia as much as possible, and even to prevent casualties as much as possible.

The good news is that the outbreak of the Spanish flu will take several years, and Australasia is destined to not be the most severely affected area due to its relatively remote location.

As long as the protection is done at the national level, and a large number of emergency supplies such as masks and disinfectant are prepared at the same time, it will be no problem to effectively deal with this influenza pandemic.

With regard to the integration and assimilation of all immigrants in the country, the unification of language and religion were two of Arthur's most important policies.

With the joint efforts of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and Archbishop Steed, a large number of non-English immigrants have been trained in English, at least enabling them to communicate in English.

You know, the vast majority of those who set up factories in Australasia are British Australasians.

This also means that speaking English is also a necessary condition when looking for a job.Although this does not represent the fundamental condition, but whether you can speak English or not really determines whether you can survive in the factory.

Just imagine, how can you work better if you can't even understand the words of colleagues and leaders, and you have to rely on hand gestures to communicate?

Because of this, German and Russian immigrants still have a high attitude towards learning English.

This has also allowed the progress of language unification in Australasia to go smoothly, and all language schools run by the government and churches are basically full.

In addition to unifying the language, Archbishop Stead is also trying to unify the religions of Australasia.

But religion is not the same as language. People can accept learning another language to help them live a better life, but they often cannot accept converting to religion.

Some people who don't believe in religion are okay, and those who are superstitious about religion even speak coldly to the missionaries sent by the church and directly express their rejection.

Arthur didn't care too much about the religious unity of Australasia. After all, in this era, secular rights far outweighed religion.

For a country like Australasia, as long as the fundamental power is in the hands of Arthur, it doesn't matter what religion the citizens believe in.

As long as it can be ensured that British descent and Protestantism account for the majority of the total population of Australasia, the beliefs of the remaining minority residents will be extremely free.

Of course, some religions that oppose the government and royal rule and run counter to the beliefs of most British immigrants are unlikely to be taken over by the government.

How to choose, such a problem is left to Archbishop Steed to solve.

Anyway, in addition to being the Archbishop of Australasia, Archbishop Stead is also the head of the Australasian Protestant Association.

The issue of religion is left to the religion itself. If Archbishop Stede has the ability to make the vast majority of Australasians believe in Protestantism, Arthur will definitely welcome and support it.

After a brief cabinet meeting, Arthur waited patiently for the National Day of the new year.

But unexpectedly, before the arrival of the National Day, Arthur took the lead in waiting for the guests from Europe.

The visitors were the British ambassador to Australasia, Henry Winston, and the French ambassador to Australasia, Toppin Crette.

The status of these two people in their respective countries is not small, because they are responsible for the connection with the allies of the Allied Powers, and they are also a bridge for communication between Australasia and the Allied Powers.

Although Arthur had already guessed the purpose of their visit, he still received them in the banquet hall with a smile.

The purpose of Britain and France is actually very simple, and it is definitely related to the current war in Europe.Britain and France have to bear a large number of casualties every day in the European battlefield, while the troops in Australasia are only in the early 30 at full strength, and now they are only more than 20.

Moreover, the Australasian Expeditionary Force is composed of the vast majority of indigenous people. Under such circumstances, Britain and France naturally want Australasia to send more reinforcements to ease the pressure on Britain and France.

After greeting each other and taking their seats, Arthur cut to the chase and asked directly, "Mr. Ambassadors, what are you here for today?"

Henry Winston and Toppin Crater looked at each other, Winston spoke first, and replied very respectfully: "Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, the European battlefield is very anxious now. In order to defeat the Germans as soon as possible , we hope that your country can send at least 20 reinforcements to help us launch a bigger offensive, regain the territory lost by France in one fell swoop, and even directly attack Germany."

So far in the war, France and Germany have each won or lost, and the offensives of the two sides have also come to a stalemate, turning into a protracted and brutal war of attrition.

Naturally, a war of attrition requires human lives.From the daily casualties on the Western Front, it can be seen that the British, French and Australian Allied Forces suffered nearly 2 casualties in the war of attrition every day, and more than 3000 people died. The rate of manpower consumption is extremely terrifying.

At this time, which side has more manpower means that it has more advantages to consume.

Naturally, Britain and France needless to say, France is the main target of Germany's attack, and the current casualties are already very heavy.

The British Empire has also sent more than 50 expeditionary troops to France so far, including 40 colonial troops and 10 regular troops.

Only Australasia has not only dispatched more than 30 troops, but the regular army has only one division.

Although the fourth division in Australasia performed very well in the war, the combat effectiveness of a single division was not weaker than that of the German division.

Such a situation cannot change the Western Front at all. Australasia needs to contribute at least another 20 troops to have a certain impact on the Western Front.

"If I remember correctly, what our covenant agreed at that time should be 30 colonial troops and a regular division! As early as two months after the outbreak of the war, Australasia had already completed the task in full, and the Frequently transporting supplies to allies, absolutely nothing.” Arthur glanced at the two ambassadors, and said with a chuckle: “And judging from the size of our army, in a short period of time, we simply cannot organize another 20 The army. There may be ways for you to need supplies, but in terms of the army, we are really powerless."

Winston and Crater looked at each other, and Crater was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that we have come here with sincerity. Mr. President also knows that your country is not easy. If your country is willing to To support an army of 20 within a month, we are willing to pay half of the cost of forming this army, and bear half of its military expenses for fighting in Europe. In addition, we are willing to transfer the Kerguelen Islands to your country, and to your country The State provides an interest-free loan of [-] million francs."

The Kerguelen Islands are located in the southern Indian Ocean, between the French colony of Madagascar and Australasia.

If Australasia can acquire this colony, the sphere of influence will also expand to the Indian Ocean.

After hearing the conditions of the French, Arthur couldn't help squinting his eyes, and looked at Ambassador Clayt with deep meaning.

It has to be said that the conditions of the French are indeed generous.Australasia only needs to dispatch 20 indigenous troops to obtain an interest-free loan of [-] million francs, a colony that can expand its sphere of influence.

Even half of the cost of forming an army of 20 and fighting is borne by France. From the perspective of interests alone, this sale of Australasia is definitely not a loss.

　The first update of 3000 words, ask for a monthly ticket, ask for support!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)