Chapter 2648 Kiel Port 2
"However, General Su Xiong's telegram stated that the four battleships can only be completely repaired after returning to Germany. During the repair process of Su Xiong's fleet, it will be difficult for us to send a fleet of this size again. This is not just a battleship. The problem of quantity is also a problem of personnel. The war is over and the High Seas Fleet does not have so many experienced sailors anymore," the Earl said.
"So, we want to buy battleships. Form our own fast fleet as soon as possible." Lansing subconsciously stated the purpose of this negotiation.
"These matters are not something I can decide, but I think you should be able to get a satisfactory answer in Bavaria." The count obviously did not want to talk more about this issue.
"Do you agree with what Count Spey said?" Lansing said to Colonel Leahy after dinner.
"General Su Xiong also made a similar point. There is no need for the Germans to deceive us, because the facts can quickly prove the truth. In fact, I also raised this possibility to the President in my report, and the President is also relatively agreed, and accelerated the construction speed of the armored cruiser." Colonel Leahy said.
"I hope this time is a false alarm." Lan Xing said silently in her heart. "We must speed up our actions. I will ask my men to contact the German government soon, and then we will prepare to go to Bavaria tomorrow!" Lansing said.
"Have you chosen the warship you are going to buy?" Lansing asked.
"Judging from the current situation, the two mothballed battleships are not suitable because they have only undergone basic repairs and dismantled a lot of important equipment. It will take a long time to rearm. Scharnhorst and Although the Gneisenau is the youngest ship, they have been performing diplomatic missions in the Indian Ocean. They have experienced a lot of battles and the maintenance conditions are somewhat poor. Therefore, the condition of the ship is not very good. Therefore, the only ones that can be considered for purchase at present are We selected from the remaining six battleships. Under the current circumstances, it should not be a big problem for us to buy two of them." Colonel Leahy was still very conscientious, and in just a few days, he compiled the list of battleships that the German Navy might sell. I reviewed the general situation.
"What else? Two ships are far from enough." Lansing said.
"We can also try to buy battleships from Austria-Hungary or Turkey, especially Turkey. They are at war and their financial situation is very bad. As long as our price is reasonable, then everything is not a problem, but considering that Turkey does not have the ability to deal with advanced battleships Improvements and thorough maintenance will be carried out. The modification work may also be left to the Germans or Austria," Colonel Leahy added.
"Are Austria and Turkey one country? If so, we can gather 4 warships and barely form a fleet." Lansing seemed satisfied with the result. "But we want to get this done as quickly as possible."
And that very night, Count Spee also contacted Crown Prince Ruprecht in Munich by phone.
Count Spee's question is strikingly similar to Lansing's, that is, whether the Japanese large-scale warship plan to break diplomatic relations will be launched. After all, this is directly related to the advantages and disadvantages of the future round of negotiations between the United States and Germany.
"It will unfold soon." The crown prince's answer was very simple.
"How do you know?" The count's answer to the crown prince was very surprising.
"Our people saw two Rurik-class battleships in the British New Guinea area. They did not return to the mainland after the battle. Instead, they went to the British colony nearby for supplies and simple maintenance, and it happened that At this time, another batch of marine lubricants and equipment produced in the UK was shipped to Australia, and the results are self-evident," the Crown Prince said.
"That's it. Now we are stable." Count Spey said with a smile. The earl, who was well versed in the navy, naturally knew what this information meant.
The two Rurik-class battleships are in good condition and have not returned to their own ports or front lines, so they are naturally preparing to perform other tasks. The Japanese fleet retreated to the mainland, and the military supplies provided by the British were not transported to the Philippines but to Australia. This means that they were prepared for these two warships. Based on the analysis of the type of supplies and the current strategic situation, this should be both Prepare for the Japanese fleet to break diplomatic ties across the ocean! Considering the time, the current Japanese fleet may already be on its way to the hunting ground!
"What's the attitude of the Italians now?" After putting down the phone, Ruprecht said to Count Schelling beside him. The Crown Prince naturally knew that he was not the only one in the world who could provide Americans with more advanced warships!
"They are very hesitant and very slippery. They want to use this arms trade as leverage to gain more benefits. Are you prepared to use force?" asked Earl Schelling.
"If I remember correctly, I have banned all German companies from exporting armor steel and related accessories to Italy before, right? The French also agreed. The large bearings needed for the turret should be some problems for Italy. Their production capacity and The speed of production is not enough," the crown prince said.
"Of course, we still have to express our attitude in a subtle way. We need to tell the Italians that there may be problems with the coal mines in Donetsk and the oil supply in Transcaucasia recently, and the price of food from Ukraine may also increase," the crown prince thought. After thinking about it, he said.
"Your Highness, they can buy Welsh coal from the British, and they can also get grain from Australia and Canada." Earl Sherling said.
"So, the British should be blamed for blocking the deal between Italy and the Americans. After all, in the whole of Europe, the British are probably the last ones who want these warships to fall into the hands of the Americans!" the crown prince said with a smile.
"So what if the Americans take advantage of the situation in terms of energy and raw materials?" Count Schelling said.
"First, the United States is in a war stage, and they do not have enough power to immediately fill the energy gap of a large European country with a population of more than 40 million. Second, because of geographical factors, our products have an advantage in price. As long as we reply supply, the Italians will immediately abandon the United States. Third, Italy will make a wise choice between the United States, which is far across the ocean, and Germany and Austria, which are close at hand." The crown prince is not worried that the Italians will make the wrong choice.
"So, this time, we just need to deal with the British with peace of mind? Are you ready to reach a substantive agreement with the British?" asked the count.
"Of course we are ready to reach some agreement, but we have to try to make this agreement as late as possible," the crown prince said.
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