I'm playing whack-a-mole in Siberia

Chapter 794 Dilemma
Chamberlain was helpless. He hoped to reach a peace agreement between Britain and Theo, but some people disagreed and the negotiations eventually broke down.

The atrocities committed by the British troops in Perth were the main reason for the breakdown of the negotiations.

This is a very magical thing to say. In theory, even if there were atrocities in Perth, which was under martial law by the British army, it would not be exposed by the media, let alone cause such a big disturbance.

After the negotiations broke down, Chamberlain did not accept any media interviews and hurried back to London.

In an interview with Coconut City Daily, Gordon put all the blame for the breakdown of the negotiations on resistance within the UK.

"Not everyone loves peace. Some people miss war and push Britain and Theo into a state of war for their own benefit. They will definitely pay the price for it."

Gordon was in a bad mood and he also hoped to reach an agreement with Britain.

Compared with Britain, Theo is too weak. If it seeks independence through war, even if it succeeds, Theo will pay a huge price.

"London has not yet declared war on Perth."

Li Pingan, editor-in-chief of Coconut City Daily, reminded Gordon in a tactful way with the unique Oriental subtlety.

Gordon declared that Theo and Britain were at war, not as a direct declaration of war, but as a threat.

Since it is a threat, both parties are responsible.

"That's because London couldn't afford the consequences of declaring war. In fact, from the moment the British army set foot in Perth, Theo and Britain were already at war."

It is important that Gordon occupies the high ground of justice.

Theo will certainly not be able to win the confrontation with London relying solely on his strength. He must gain international support to have a chance of survival.

Just like South Africa and Ireland.

If they cannot occupy the high ground of justice, other countries will lack the motivation to support Theo.

“What will you do next?”

Li Pingan did not dwell on this issue; his press release had already been written before the interview began.

London really cannot bear the consequences of declaring war. The Russian camp headed by the Grand Duchy of Yuriev has clearly expressed its support for Theo. Even the United States across the ocean believes that London should respect the choice of the Theo.

London is abuzz with discussion about this matter.

Britain has already lost South Africa and Ireland. If Western Australia becomes independent, who will be next? Australia? Canada? India?

If it really reaches that level, Britain will completely become a second-rate country.

So when the news of the breakdown of negotiations reached London, some British politicians and military generals spoke out one after another, demanding that the Theo rebellion be suppressed in the toughest way possible.

What many people did not expect was that Churchill, who had always been radical, was opposed to this issue.

Others support repression, either to curry favor with voters or out of self-interest.

Churchill was the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he knew best whether Britain had the ability to launch a war thousands of miles away.

Compared to the world war period, the British economy has just started to improve in the past two years.

But compared with Russia and the United States, the British economy has fallen far behind and the situation is continuing to deteriorate.

At the beginning of this year, the newly established Republic of Turkey and the Sultanate of Nejd successively joined the Free Trade Organization, and Russia's sphere of influence was further expanded. The Free Trade Headquarters headquartered in Constantinople was called the "Second League of Nations."

The chairman of the FTO is Leonid, who got married last year. Leonid's wife is Karl's daughter Sofia, and this is another perfect marriage between traditional Russian forces and German conservatives.

Not only is the UK facing constant internal troubles, its influence on Europe is also continuing to decline. Russia has replaced the UK as Europe's largest supplier, and the UK is being marginalized.

What made Britain afraid was that France, Britain's most steadfast ally on the European continent, was also deeply mired in the Rif War and was unable to protect itself, and was unable to cooperate with Britain's continental balance policy.

In order to suppress the Rif Rebellion, France sent a 30-strong expeditionary force to North Africa. This was the last glory of France, and the anti-war voices in France had reached their peak. The most direct manifestation was that France had changed six prime ministers in the past two years. The longest-serving prime minister’s term of office did not exceed half a year, and the shortest was only two weeks.

Germany and France are the fulcrums for Britain to implement its continental balance policy, and other countries do not have the ability to influence the situation on the European continent.

Now that Germany has completely sided with Russia, France has to remain neutral in order to protect itself, and Britain has to pin its hopes on the United States across the ocean, hoping to unite with the United States to fight against Russia's expansion.

If another Boer War were to be fought under such circumstances, the British treasury would go bankrupt.

"We need a war to keep the Royal Navy fighting."

At the cabinet meeting, First Sea Lord David Beatty took a clear stand.

"If Theo becomes independent, it will definitely trigger a domino effect, and the order of the Dominion will collapse."

Dominion Minister Buckmaster was equally resolute.

The Dominions Office was established in 1907 and was originally a subsidiary of the Colonial Office. Earlier this year, the status of the Dominions Office was upgraded to the same level as the Foreign Office, India Office and Colonial Office.

Here we can see the importance of India to Britain.

"If we want to suppress the rebellion by force, we must consider Russia's attitude."

Neville Chamberlain, who returned to the post of Health Secretary, had many concerns.

Although the Grand Duchy of Yuriev is in the forefront, its strength is ultimately limited, and Russia is the elephant behind the hyena.

"We have made concessions on the issues of South Africa and Ireland, but these concessions have not only failed to bring us peace, but have made everyone restless. It is time to be tough. Blindly giving in will only make our enemies more aggressive."

David Beatty was heartbroken.

"Your reasons are all very valid, but have you ever considered whether our finances can support us in forming an Australian Expeditionary Force after we have lost Canada and Australia in succession?"

Churchill had also served as First Lord of the Admiralty and was no stranger to the strength of the British Army.

The Royal Navy was still able to fight, but Theo could not be conquered by the navy alone.

“We can borrow from the Americans.”

David Beatty has become path-dependent and always turns to the United States for help when he has problems.

"That's impossible. Our task now is to reduce borrowing, not to get deeper into this problem."

Churchill was already tormented by the debt and interest.

"Gentlemen--"

Stanley Baldwin was extremely conflicted, but he still had to make a decision: "In view of the current situation, it is necessary for us to divert domestic conflicts with a foreign war. This is the best solution to the dilemma."

(End of this chapter)