I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 775 Public Outrage

The history of gliders is much earlier than that of propeller planes. As early as 1809, Sir George Cayley of Britain studied the flying principles of kites and birds and made a trial glider.

Although this glider was not successful, Sir Kelly continued to work hard and continued to improve the glider. Finally, 40 years later, in 1849, he sent a 10-year-old child into the sky using a glider.

Sir John Kelly is considered the father of aerodynamics and his name is etched in history along with the glider.

Although the experimental aircraft of the Amur Military District is still far from being a jet aircraft, it still deserves to be remembered by history.

The Russian media did not report on this incident, as if it had never happened.

But George knew that everything had changed. Propeller planes might not have the chance to reach the heights of another time and space, and jets would end the propeller era ahead of schedule.

It cannot be said that it is the end of propeller planes. Even in the 21st century, propeller planes are still in use. In some special models, propeller planes have advantages that jet planes do not have.

While Russia was secretly developing new weapons, Australia's proposal caused great controversy at the Imperial Conference in London.

Australia wants greater trade autonomy, which would break with Commonwealth trade rules.

The Commonwealth's trade system is Britain's last bottom line. Although South Africa is independent, it still remains in the Commonwealth and plays its own role. This is the premise for London to allow South Africa's independence.

If Australia has trade autonomy, the competitiveness of British goods in Australia will be seriously affected.

Although Australia's population is not large, even if Australia is given greater trade autonomy, it will not have much impact on the British economy.

But giving Australia full trade autonomy could trigger a domino effect, which is what London is most worried about.

This is actually not the first time that Australia has made such a request. At previous imperial conferences, Australia and Canada have made similar requests, and even India hopes to have trade autonomy.

This time, Britain tried to muddle through the issue by stalling for time.

Unexpectedly, Australia's attitude was so firm that it caught London off guard.

On June 6, the British Mediterranean Fleet sent warships to visit Australia in an attempt to deter Australia with force.

The Suez Canal Company refused to allow warships of the Mediterranean Fleet to pass through the Suez Canal on the grounds of security.

This directly triggered strong protests from the Mediterranean Fleet.

In non-wartime, warships of any country have the right to pass through the Suez Canal, and the Canal Company cannot refuse.

However, if the passage of warships will affect the safety of the canal, the canal company has the right to refuse.

During the Russo-Japanese War, the Suez Canal Company at the time refused to allow Russian battleships to pass through the canal based on this point.

Now the situation has changed, and it is finally Russia's turn to strangle Britain.

Chamberlain was rarely tough and fired at little Nicolas in the League of Nations.

"Britain has strangled Russia countless times in history, and we have only strangled you once, and you can't stand it?"

Little Nicholas laughed wildly.

"So you admit that the Canal Company is directed by the Russian government?"

Chamberlain sticks to the facts.

"When did I say that? Don't make unwarranted associations."

Little Nicholas denied it flatly.

"You just said that!"

Chamberlain blushed. The echo of what he had just said had not yet faded. "I didn't, you heard it wrong!"

When it comes to cheating, no one can cheat better than little Nicholas.

"What you are doing will have a serious impact on local security."

Chamberlain spoke threateningly.

"Want to hit me? Come on!"

Little Nicholas was not afraid at all.

Chamberlain really didn't dare to hit little Nicholas, or even speak loudly to him. He was in his forties, and if anything happened to him, Russia would definitely pursue the matter.

The Mediterranean Fleet was not one to suffer a loss. After the Canal Company refused the passage of its warships, the Mediterranean Fleet sent warships to block the Suez Canal.

If you don’t let me pass, then no one else can pass!
This is a hornet's nest.

When the canal company did not allow Russian warships to pass through the canal, the Russian warships just obediently took a detour through Africa. Russia, which is known for its "barbarism", did not send warships to block the canal.

Now Russia is using its own tactics to retaliate against Russia. The British army has disregarded the interests of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean and brazenly sent warships to block the canal. How overbearing!

"This is what you British people call 'gentlemanly manners'. You can only take advantage of yourself and never suffer any loss——"

Little Nicholas didn't care about the canal company's economic losses. He just wanted to expose the hypocrisy of the British.

"In a non-war situation, warships of any country have the right to pass through the Suez Canal. This is a right that the Mediterranean Fleet should have."

Chamberlain could not give in, otherwise the dominance of the Royal Navy would be gone.

Although the Royal Navy’s dominance is now in jeopardy in the face of strong challenges from the United States and Russia, as long as the aura of the Royal Navy remains, Britain will still be the sun that never sets on the seven seas.

If the Mediterranean Fleet were to sail around Africa like the Russian fleet, the legend of the Royal Navy would be overshadowed.

The World War had made the weakness of the British Army clear to everyone, and the navy became Britain's only fig leaf.

If the navy's halo is gone, let alone other countries, what will Australia and Canada think?
The main reason why Australia and Canada remain in the Commonwealth is that the Royal Navy can provide security protection for Australia and Canada.

The situations in Australia and Canada are different from those in South Africa and are rather special.

There are no strong enemies around South Africa and there is almost no security threat, so the South Africans are fighting for independence and do not need Britain's protection.

Canada is next to the United States, and Australia is isolated in East Asia. It is the only white country in East Asia and also relies on Britain for protection.

If the British Navy loses its deterrent power, it goes without saying that Canada will turn to the United States, and Australia will throw itself into the arms of the Russians.

It is hard to say whether India will remain in the Commonwealth by then.

"Your so-called power is based only on the interests of the United Kingdom. You don't care even if it affects the interests of all other countries."

Little Nicholas is on full fire.

Chamberlain frowned. At this moment, everyone, including the representatives of the Commonwealth countries, looked at Chamberlain with something strange in their eyes.

The blockage of the canal has caused serious losses to the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Not long after the canal was opened to navigation, the Mediterranean Fleet once again blocked the canal, which will deal a heavy blow to the economies of the countries that have just begun to improve.

Even the UK has to consider the consequences of arousing public outrage.

(End of this chapter)