The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 412: Chapter 342: Military Expansion and Loan_2

However, the proportion of German immigrants was not high to begin with, and Arthur, with his foresight, dispersed them among the large numbers of British and Russian immigrants, effectively making it impossible for them to make waves.

Moreover, most of those who emigrate are those struggling or unable to thrive in their original countries.

After all, who would willingly travel thousands of miles to a foreign land, just to make a living, if they could thrive in their original countries?

These German immigrants in Australasia believe they are living well. To ask them to stand up and oppose the government's decisions, regardless of their current stable life, would be overestimating their affection for their countries of origin.

Unless someone deliberately rallies these Germans and incites them, German immigrants in Australasia fundamentally cannot affect the situation in Australasia.

Moreover, with the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau monitoring domestic situations, even with the support of other countries, it would be hard to rally these dispersed German immigrants.

As for maintaining order within Australasia, Arthur has spared no effort.

He also strongly supports and values the growth of the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau.

As of now, the total number of Royal Security Intelligence Bureau personnel has exceeded tens of thousands.

If you count those stationed in other countries and various informants, this number could be multiplied several times.

In Australasia alone, the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau has over five thousand intelligence personnel embedded in various cities and villages.

This allows Arthur to always have access to first-hand intelligence within Australasia, and to monitor the movements of his officers and subordinates at all times.

The overseas intelligence network of the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau mainly covers Europe, the United States, and East Asia.

The number of intelligence personnel dispatched to Europe is the largest, with over four thousand. Including local hires and informants, the total number of intelligence personnel in Europe exceeds tens of thousands.

The number of intelligence personnel in the United States is slightly less, but including various informants, the total is still over four thousand.

There are about three thousand intelligence personnel in East Asia and Southeast Asia, about a thousand in South America, and about a thousand in Africa and other regions. This is the current distribution and layout of the Royal Security Intelligence Bureau's intelligence personnel.

The first benefit of joining the Allies was to form alliances with the three major powers--Britain, France, and Russia.

As Australasia has committed to sending a sizable combat army in the event of future European wars, Arthur has been shameless in demanding more benefits and aid from Britain, France, and Russia.

Of course, the aid from the Allies comes mainly from Britain and France, as Russia is also a recipient of assistance.

On the day the government officially announced its joining of the Allies, Arthur signalled the government to establish contact with the French government and prioritise establishing good diplomatic relations.

The French welcomed the inclusion of Australasia because the combat troops deployed by Australasia would alleviate some of the pressure on the French Army.

While in contact with the French, Arthur also brought up his own demands, which included the purchase of French submarine technology.

While Australasia already possessed mature German submarine technology, the development of said technology in Germany currently lags a step behind Britain and France.

Of course, even if Germany's submarine technology was on par with Britain and France, learning some additional submarine technology would also be beneficial to Australasia's submarine development.

In addition, Arthur instructed the Australasian government to seek large amounts of low and interest-free loans from the British and French governments and the private sector.

The excuse was that to reserve sufficient military power, Australasia needed to invest more budget in the military sector.

After World War I, all kinds of currencies will depreciate, whether it's an interest-free loan or low-interest loan, they are all profitable for Australasia.

Even just by selling large amounts of mineral resources and food supplies to Britain and France during the war, they could easily repay these loans.

Perhaps out of importance for their new ally, the French agreed promptly to Australasia's request to purchase submarine technology.

Of course, the French did not object to Australasia's request for loans, as they have been a major debtor for decades, one more Australasian does not bother them.

Through the envoys sent by both parties, Australasia quickly signed a loan agreement with the French government.

The agreement stipulated that Australasia would borrow a total of 500 million francs (20 million pounds, 40 million Australian dollars) from the French government and civilians. Out of this, 150 million francs would come from the French government in the form of an interest-free loan. The remaining 350 million francs would come from French civilians, as a low-interest loan.

The total loan term was ten years. After ten years, the Australasian Government would be obligated to repay a total of 535 million francs in principal and interest.

Of course, this 500 million francs would not be paid in one go. Given the financial condition of France, the 150 million francs from the government would be paid in two batches in mid and end of this year.

The 350 million francs from the French public would depend on the specific negotiations between the Australasian Government and French banks.

France, being a major player in the lending sector, was quick to expedite the loan process, and the loan agreement came into effect swiftly.

If all goes well, about 150 million francs should arrive in the first half of this year, and 250 million francs in the second half. The remaining 100 million francs might not get paid until next year.

With these funds supporting them, the Australasian Government could spend more lavishly on building their military.

Once the naval orders of Russia and Chile are finished, it would be Australasia's turn to demonstrate their military shipbuilding prowess.

Since the United States was seen as the future target and enemy, it was crucial to quickly enhance naval capabilities.

Arthur planned to expand Australasia's naval arsenal starting from 1914.

From 1914 to 1918, Australasia's next five-year shipbuilding plan would be officially executed.

For this five-year shipbuilding plan, Australasia will build at least one aircraft carrier, seven super dreadnoughts or equivalent main battleships, four battlecruisers, dozens of escort ships and armored cruisers, and more, to fully enrich Australasia's naval reserve.

The aircraft carrier was an experimental product for the navy, and its success or failure would not affect the expansion of the navy.

The real highlight was those seven or more super dreadnoughts or equivalent main battleships and a minimum of three advanced battlecruisers.

If this new five-year shipbuilding plan can be completed, the size of Australasia's navy will reach seven super dreadnoughts, three dreadnoughts, six battlecruisers, totaling sixteen main battleships after the end of World War I.

By then, if nothing unexpected happens, the navies of the Allied Nations should also have encountered their unexpected circumstances.

At that time, Australasia's naval size would rank at least among the top five in the world, and might even rank third in the world, only after the UK and the US.

In fact, looking at the attitudes of Britain and France, it is evident that they place considerable importance on Australasia, their newly joined ally in the Allies.

France not only agreed to exchange military technology with Australasia, but also agreed to their loan request.

As for Britain, the assistance they promised during the negotiations is already being prepared after the signing of the Anglo-Australian Treaty.

Because the original package includes all sorts of things, even various technologies, blueprints, data, and talents, the preparation also takes some time.

However, the British do not intend to wait. As soon as the preparations for the first batch of aid is ready, transport ships from the British Empire will set sail under protection of their fleet, heading for Australasia thousands of miles away.

This batch of aid contains a large amount of industrial equipment and data, as well as the talents that Arthur had requested in various fields.

Of course, the British government would not straightforwardly ask these talents to immigrate to Australasia. Instead, they subtly changed the concept and sent them over in the name of expert delegation, so these people and their families could stay in Australasia for a long duration.

On the surface, these experts only need to stay in Australasia for a few years before they can apply to return to the British mainland.

However, the issue is that they would be bringing their families and most of their property to Australasia.

After living in Australasia for several or even more than ten years, would their families truly want to traverse thousands of miles to return home to Britain?

If they are willing, Arthur would simply commend their love for the homeland, and then let them return.