Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1)
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Before long, the new year dawned, and it was 1902.
However, the shocking news that arrived before the New Year's atmosphere had even faded was enough to shake all of Europe.
The First Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
Britain, as in original history, decided to ally with Japan to check Russia's expansion in the Far East.
We had already anticipated it since Edward VII blatantly ignored us at the Victoria Dowager Empress's funeral.
Anyway, according to the newspaper article, the alliance between the British Empire and the Empire of Japan is scheduled to be signed on January 30.
Thanks to this, the world was already abuzz even though the year had just changed.
And the reactions were varied.
First, unlike the calm attitude of the British government, the British people were quite shocked.
It was natural. To the British, Britain had always maintained the status of a superpower nobly since the Napoleonic Wars.
Yet, that Britain was allying not with a European power but with Japan, merely an emerging power in the Far East at best.
If this wasn't shocking, what was?
Of course, unlike the British reaction, the Japanese were in a complete festive mood.
Naturally, the Japanese would be deeply moved and proud to ally with the great British Empire.
By now, the entire Japanese archipelago is probably overflowing with nationalism.
Finally recognized by the Western powers.
Of course, from my perspective knowing the future, it was all just kimchi soup.
And Russia, as expected, spewed anger and continuously criticized Britain and Japan.
Anyone not an idiot would know who the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was targeting.
And France also showed a negative reaction to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
However, it felt more like they were stepping up because Russia was their ally rather than anger at the alliance itself, and that was indeed the case.
Amidst these opposing reactions from the relevant countries regarding the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, the German Empire remained silent.
The alliance was aimed at the Russian Empire and had little to do with the German Empire.
But while the German Empire was quiet, that didn't mean the Kaiser was quiet.
"How can this be? Are the British really thinking of joining hands with those vile island monkeys!"
The Kaiser's furious voice echoed through the room.
Seeing him like this right after hearing the news, it seems our Billy really doesn't like the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
'The Kaiser hates Japan.'
Not just dislikes, but to the level of loathing.
One of the main reasons he fell into the Yellow Peril ideology was this, and that's why he was strangely friendly toward the Korean Empire persecuted by Japan.
Because of this, Chancellor von Bülow and Foreign Minister Richthofen, summoned to Potsdam from morning, and I, who had no idea why I was here, had to silently endure the Kaiser's tirade against Britain and Japan all day.
'But now I'm getting tired.'
Finally, unable to stand it, I opened my mouth.
"Your Majesty. Please calm down."
"Hans, how can I calm down? This is betrayal. Betrayal of Europe, of Western civilization by Britain!"
"In just a few months, won't the new battleship you've been waiting for be completed?"
To be precise, construction would be completed early this summer.
And when its true power was revealed to the world, the shock to Britain would be several times that of the shock(?) the Kaiser felt from the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, just like the original Dreadnought shocked the world.
"So please hold back your anger until then. You can give Britain a proper blow as much as you want then."
"Ugh... That's true, but I can't stand seeing those island monkeys so arrogant."
The Kaiser rolled his eyes with a dissatisfied expression.
Toward me.
"Hans, you've always come up with brilliant ideas in situations like this, so think of a way to cut down those guys' pride."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I said that and bowed to the Kaiser.
Only then did the Kaiser pat my shoulder with a somewhat appeased face and leave the room.
It felt like I'd become a magic conch shell, but it wasn't a bad thing.
It meant the Kaiser trusted me that much.
'As expected, the Prince Chun incident last time was huge.'
I muttered inwardly and turned my head.
Then I looked at Chancellor von Bülow and Foreign Minister Richthofen, left alone in the room with me.
"What are you planning to do this time?"
Chancellor von Bülow said with furrowed brows.
Well, Bülow had suffered unnecessarily because of me many times.
'But this must be done.'
When I first met Edward VII last year, I'd devised a plan.
If it went well, it could resolve Germany's stifling diplomatic situation; even if it didn't go as planned, it could at least avert the worst.
The first step of the plan was to plant in Britain the crisis sense that Russia might win when the Russo-Japanese War broke out.
And now it was time for the second step.
So, I smiled apologetically at Bülow and opened my mouth.
"It's something absolutely necessary for the German Empire."
"Ugh... Looks like this year won't be peaceful either."
"First, let's hear the Baron's story, Chancellor. No matter the process, the results have always been good, haven't they?"
Foreign Minister Richthofen, who'd grown quite close to me after the Prince Chun incident, defended me like that.
I slightly bowed to Foreign Minister Richthofen in thanks and continued.
"First, both you, Chancellor, and the Foreign Minister know that Germany's current diplomatic situation isn't good."
"You're poking the sore spot from the start."
Of course, the German Empire wasn't without allies.
It was a member and leader of the Triple Alliance.
The problem was that its members were Austria-Hungary, which would drag Germany into the quagmire of World War I instead of helping, and the Kingdom of Italy, already secretly allied with France and poised to defect.
"France is our clear enemy for now. Russia is France's ally. And the Triple Alliance is practically being led by our German Empire alone."
Moreover, Britain, the sole great power maintaining neutrality, had begun to view Germany warily after the Kaiser's accession and expansion policies.
Germany's diplomatic isolation was obviously deepening.
"So what exactly are you trying to say?"
"We need to help Russia."
"...What? Are you in your right mind right now?"
Chancellor von Bülow frowned at the suggestion to help Russia.
The expected reaction.
After all, the Russian Empire was France's ally and a potential enemy highly likely to side against Germany in the future.
But in international diplomacy, there are no absolute allies or enemies.
Situations could change based on national interests at any time, and now was precisely that moment.
"I'm perfectly sane. Because with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance confirmed, war between Russia and Japan will erupt in the Far East soon, and Russia will lose."
"That Russian Empire loses to Japan? The craziest thing I've heard this year—no, this century."
"I agree with the Chancellor, Baron. I know the Russian Empire is rotten to the core, but it's still a great power rivaling the world's top."
Chancellor von Bülow and Foreign Minister Richthofen shook their heads skeptically.
As expected, they couldn't imagine Japan beating the Russian Empire.
"Of course, purely in terms of overall national power, it's impossible for Japan, a mere emerging Asian power, to defeat Russia militarily. But consider this: if war breaks out between them, the battlefield will definitely be the Far East. Not Europe."
Russia's territory is vast.
Too vast.
In defensive wars like the Napoleonic Wars or the Patriotic War, this was a strength, but in the Russo-Japanese War with the Far East as the theater, it became poison.
"Certainly, if war breaks out between Russia and Japan, it'll be fought in the Far East."
"Yes. And the Russian Far East Army, unlike the European one, is at best militia level. Plus, due to the distance from the homeland, support and supplies are severely lacking."
This applied equally to the Russian Pacific Fleet stationed in Vladivostok and Dalian.
In fact, the Russian Pacific Fleet—barely a third-rate force not even second-rate—couldn't mount a proper counterattack against Japan's combined fleet and remained trapped in port throughout the war.
Because of this, Russia's strongest naval force, the Baltic Fleet, sortied to rescue the Pacific Fleet and regain sea control, but everyone knows the result: the disastrous defeat at Tsushima.
And annihilation.
"But Japan is different, right?"
Chancellor von Bülow, with his own military background, grasped my point and spoke seriously, unlike before.
I nodded and continued.
"The Japanese army's soldiers have high morale and are extremely well-trained, even setting aside the officers' qualities. They're geographically far superior in logistics to Russia. And with this Anglo-Japanese Alliance, Britain will start fully supporting Japan."
"Hmm, if that's the case, the story changes indeed..."
Foreign Minister Richthofen, realizing my intent, let out a groan.
I looked at them and pressed on.
"If Russia loses to Japan, it'll halt Russia's expansion policy."
The end of the sharp 19th-century rivalry between Britain and Russia.
The end of the Great Game.
"And Britain, no longer fearing Russian expansion, will shift its gaze elsewhere."
"To our Germany."
"Yes. Anglo-German alliance talks have already broken down anyway."
"Ahem. Why dredge up settled matters?"
As I shot him a look, Chancellor von Bülow coughed awkwardly and made excuses.
Naturally, since the failure of those talks bore significant blame on Bülow himself.
The one who'd arrogantly led the Anglo-German alliance discussions, clashed with Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain over the Boer War, and ultimately botched everything was none other than Chancellor von Bülow.
Of course, the British government—excluding Chamberlain—had been skeptical of the alliance too.
"Russia must not collapse now. If it does, Britain will start seriously checking our Germany."
Currently, British politicians didn't yet view Germany's threat as gravely serious.
To them, Russia straining to project power across the oceans remained the bigger menace than Germany.
But after the Russo-Japanese War, that changes.
Leading to the Entente Cordiale, the Anglo-Russian Entente, Germany's isolation, and its defeat in World War I.
Thus, Russia needed to maintain its fearsome bear image for now.
For the time being.
"Still, supporting Russia feels a bit..."
But Chancellor von Bülow hesitated, trailing off.
Bülow was a Junker too.
And Junkers hated Russia.
"Chancellor. You know full well that Germany's isolation can't be allowed to deepen further."
In original history, this man's solution to that was the disastrous 'Morocco Crisis'—the problem.
"Besides, such temporary support won't make Russia overly strong. Limit it to the Far East, just enough to keep Russia from losing to Japan."
"Hmm. That seems manageable."
"Umm..."
With Foreign Minister Richthofen responding positively to my persuasion, Bülow's resolve began to waver.
Good. Almost there.
"Chancellor. Russia could threaten Germany, but we still need them now."
Hostile coexistence.
To avert the German Empire's total isolation, hostile coexistence with the Russian Empire was essential at this juncture.
And at my decisive clincher, Chancellor von Bülow sighed and threw up both hands.
"Sigh. Fine, got it. Then we'll consult the military. Can't do any support without their buy-in anyway."