Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Anglo-German Negotiations (1)
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While negotiations between Russia and Japan were underway in Portsmouth, our German Empire was also on the cusp of a pivotal summit that would shape the Empire's future.
"Britain has sent word that they wish to forge a deep alliance with our German Empire. An Anglo-German alliance."
I nodded at Chancellor von Bülow's words.
Arthur Balfour had already discreetly sounded me out on the matter back in Algeciras.
During the Russo-Japanese War, Britain had sparked the Red Tea Morocco crisis, completely falling out with the Russian Empire and France.
And the Moroccan naval battle triggered by the Potemkin mutiny had driven the final wedge into that rift.
Relations between the Franco-Russian Alliance and Britain had deteriorated beyond repair, making both the Anglo-Russian and Anglo-French agreements impossible forevermore.
Now, the only nation in Europe that could truly be called Britain's ally was our German Empire.
"Balfour himself says he'll come to Berlin."
"Of course they have to come to us. They're the ones in need."
I replied while sipping my coffee.
Unlike the original history where Russia lost its Pacific and Baltic Fleets, Britain now faced a Russia that had preserved most of its navy—not to mention the threat of France.
If they couldn't bring the German Empire to their side here, Britain wouldn't just be in trouble; they'd be in agony.
We Germans weren't in a vastly different position, but we hadn't been the ones to ignite the Morocco crisis.
At least not this time.
"An alliance with the British? It sticks in my craw."
Admiral Tirpitz dampened the good mood with his remark.
He harbored such intense rivalry toward the Royal Navy that he couldn't shake his resentment toward Britain.
If left unchecked, this could derail things, so I carefully opened my mouth to persuade him.
"Admiral, we're not submitting to Britain. Quite the opposite—they're the ones bowing their heads to us. And for Germany's future, cooperation with Britain is essential."
"I know that. I do. But if we ally with Britain, we'll never get to settle the score between the Royal Navy and our Imperial Navy."
"......"
I was wrong.
Admiral Tirpitz simply hated the idea that allying with the Royal Navy meant he couldn't fight them.
Chancellor von Bülow, having anticipated Tirpitz's words, shook his head at me in dismay.
No hope there.
I sighed inwardly, pondering how to handle this hopeless battleship enthusiast.
It seemed the time had come to bring it up.
"Admiral Tirpitz, fighting isn't the only way to prove superiority. Just as we built the Friedrich class, we can keep staying ahead of the Royal Navy."
"But we're not the only ones with Friedrich-class ships anymore. Britain just launched theirs recently, and France, Russia, and America are building them too."
"Then why not build an even more powerful battleship than the current Friedrich class? One with bigger main guns and a larger hull."
And so, the super Dreadnought—the final evolution of the Dreadnought—was born.
In the original history, once other nations began building Dreadnoughts, Britain countered with the Orion-class super Dreadnoughts in 1910 to overwhelm them.
'So here, should we call it the Super Friedrich?'
A chuckle escaped me unbidden, and Admiral Tirpitz nodded, though his expression still held some dissatisfaction.
Something was still bothering him.
"Hmm, that's a valid point. But isn't all-or-nothing armor one of the core Dreadnought concepts? The bigger the main guns, the thicker the armor needs to be, which means displacement skyrockets exponentially. Eventually, we'll hit a limit."
The admiral was right.
But it wasn't an insurmountable problem.
"Then why not skip the heavy armor across the entire ship? Apply all-or-nothing protection only to vital areas that can't take a direct hit, and minimal armor to the rest where it's fine if they do."
"Huh?"
The concentrated armor scheme—the first implemented on the U.S. Nevada-class standard battleships in 1912.
"......That's a good idea."
Tirpitz pondered my suggestion for a moment before breaking into a bright smile, deeming it solid.
He seemed to have forgotten his grudge against Britain entirely, muttering to himself in the corner.
Truth be told, it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't accepted it.
Our goal of boarding the same ship as Britain was achieved either way.
Ah, but if the chance arises, I'd still like to build at least one aircraft carrier.
The short era of battleships would end, giving way to airplanes and carriers.
I recalled that Prince Heinrich had been quite interested in aviation in the original history. Maybe push him in that direction later.
Of course, with powered flight only just barely taking to the skies now, it was merely an idea for the moment.
"Well then, shall we wait for our British friends to arrive?"
"Yes. By the way, this Americano is pretty good."
"More for you?"
Chancellor von Bülow nodded at my offer.
My other plan to spread Americano coffee across this world was progressing smoothly too.
Next up: pineapple pizza to conquer the world.
Germans who've tried Hawaiian toast—the original pineapple pizza—would surely love it.
"Welcome to Germany, Prime Minister Balfour."
"Thank you for the warm reception, Your Majesty."
Arthur Balfour and the British delegation bowed toward Wilhelm II, who was welcoming them.
Chancellor von Bülow and I watched with bated breath, maintaining our tension.
The talks hadn't even begun, but considering the Kaiser's disastrous diplomatic skills and unpredictable tongue, we had no choice.
The Daily Telegraph Affair that led to Bülow's downfall in the original history was precisely because the Kaiser misspoke about Britain.
'Even the Reichstag buzzed with talk of whether the Kaiser should abdicate.'
Bülow himself later wrote in his child's memoir: 'Many Germans felt a dark, ominous premonition that the foolish and childish words and actions of their supreme head of state could lead to but one thing: disaster.'
That's why I'd begged—begged—the Kaiser to stay quiet today.
This was the day that would decide Germany's future.
Not a single mistake could be allowed.
"His Majesty Edward VII couldn't attend in person, but he told me that seeing the descendants of Queen Victoria reunite brings him no greater joy."
"Ho ho, is that so?"
"Yes. He said Your Majesty stands out as the most accomplished grandson of Queen Victoria and takes great pride in you."
Fortunately, Balfour astutely gilded the Kaiser's ego, averting the disaster Bülow and I had feared.
Edward VII said that? No way. Balfour was just flattering to please the Kaiser.
"Keh heh, keh heh heh. Convey to my great-uncle that I understand his sentiments well."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
The Kaiser beamed from ear to ear, clearly delighted by Balfour's honeyed words.
Fine, who said it doesn't matter. As long as Billy's happy and stays quiet.
With our Kaiser departing the room satisfied, a grin blooming on his face, it was now the experts' turn.
Chancellor von Bülow, Foreign Minister Richthofen, and I sat across from Balfour, the Marquess of Lansdowne, and the rest of the British delegation.
"Shall we get started, then?"
"Yes. I hope this time it doesn't end like the last Anglo-German talks."
As Bülow broke the ice, Balfour responded with a worried expression, referencing the previous failed negotiations.
I could understand why Balfour and the British were anxious.
I too sincerely hoped these talks wouldn't collapse like before.
'If they do, all my years of hard work will go down the drain in an instant.'
I might just cry then.
Cry harder than anyone in the world.
"First, let me clarify something."
"Please do."
"Britain does not want this agreement with Germany to appear as a military alliance with binding obligations."
"Ahem."
Bülow and Foreign Minister Richthofen coughed awkwardly, unable to hide their discomfort at Balfour's words.
I, knowing the British would pull this, remained calmly composed.
Britain had denied it was a military alliance during both the Anglo-French and Anglo-Russian talks; no reason to change with us as the partner.
"We fully understand Britain's desire not to provoke Russia and France excessively."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Balfour sighed in relief at my words.
But Britain's intentions went beyond that.
'They want an escape hatch if war breaks out between the Triple Alliance and Franco-Russian Alliance.'
Just like their hesitation to join World War I.
Ultimately, Belgium's invasion pulled them in, and there were endless triggers that could drag Britain into a world war. In my view, it was pointless flailing.
Smiling, I slowly spoke up.
"Shall we start with the colonial issues?"
Petty matters of what territories to concede and what to gain in return—but for the German Empire, aggressively pursuing Weltpolitik, these were issues we absolutely had to settle with Britain.
The most critical was the 3B policy: Berlin-Byzantium (Constantinople)-Baghdad, which everyone had heard of at least once in social studies class.
The 3B policy, the core of Weltpolitik, clashed directly with Britain's 3C policy linking Cairo-Cape Town-Calcutta, so it had to be resolved with them.
As pre-arranged, Foreign Minister Richthofen first tossed Britain a carrot.
"The German Empire recognizes Britain's rights in Egypt, including Suez, and in Persia."
Germany also promised to tacitly allow Britain to annex Egypt and bring Persia under its sphere in emergencies.
Balfour, who had tensed fearing excessive demands, finally relaxed with a satisfied expression.
"In turn, Britain guarantees Germany's rights in the Ottoman Empire and its territories."
Bülow and Richthofen's faces lit up brilliantly at Balfour's words.
A brief proposal, but its implications were enormous.
At last, Britain's recognition of Germany's long-cherished 3B policy.
In the original history, it barely succeeded in persuading Britain in 1914, only to vanish like a midsummer night's dream with the outbreak of World War I. No wonder they were thrilled.
Bülow's frosty demeanor from Balfour's earlier remark finally thawed, his attitude softening. After hours of discussion, as everything wrapped up, he grasped Arthur Balfour's hand with a pleased smile.
"It seems we've reached a mutually satisfactory agreement."
"Agreed. Ah, if it had been you instead of Chamberlain handling the last alliance talks, it would have ended well long ago."
"Hahaha! Indeed."
As Bülow lavished praise while dissing the absent Chamberlain, Balfour visibly brightened, unable to suppress a twitching smile.
Our efforts to keep the mood positive between the nations had paid off.
"Well done, Baron. You played a major role."
"You're too kind, Foreign Minister Richthofen."
Relieved that we'd cleared the major hurdle, I let out a sigh just as Richthofen praised me.
"Now I can finally relax... Cough cough!"
"Foreign Minister?"
"Ahem, it's nothing. Just a light cold, it seems."
"Oh no, it's chilly out—please take care."
I spoke with concern, but Richthofen waved it off as if it were fine.
He looked okay on the surface, but since I didn't know much about his health, an inexplicable unease crept in.
I hope Foreign Minister Richthofen stays healthy...
"Then, let's sign and conclude the negotiations."
"Certainly. I'm looking forward to the official announcement."
As Bülow and Balfour signed the agreement, the Marquess of Lansdowne, Foreign Minister Richthofen, and the other attendees followed suit, pens flying.
Finally, adding my name at the very bottom, the Anglo-German Alliance—the fruit of our negotiations—was officially born into the world.
A few days later, as 1905 dawned, the official announcement of the Anglo-German Alliance sent shockwaves around the globe, far eclipsing even the aftermath of the Portsmouth Treaty.