"Hmm, this report should be okay, right?"
"Of course, Minister Balfour."
Arthur Balfour, the First Lord of the Treasury, confirmed once again while reading the report submitted by the naval attachés sent to Germany. Walter Talbot Kerr, the First Sea Lord, nodded confidently in affirmation.
"According to our officers, although the design concept of the new German battleships is understandable, it is far from the current doctrine, and their performance is unlikely to meet expectations. Contrary to German propaganda, these warships are actually just oversized and showy but ineffective vessels," Sir Kerr said with a hint of mockery in his smile.
In the UK, due to the overly long name, people directly use the temporary name "Dreadnought" to refer to the new German Imperial battleship "Friedrich der Große". Apparently, this battleship was developed with long - range gunfire as the core.
However, they believed that long - range gunfire had almost no practical value in actual combat.
Therefore, Sir Kerr couldn't help but laugh at the Germans, deeming it as stupid as the French "Jeune École".
"They even completely eliminated the intermediate - caliber guns other than the main and secondary guns."
"Is there going to be a problem with that?"
"Yes, as a result, the hit rate of the ship's guns will instead decline." Traditionally, in order to compensate for the low hit rate of the main guns, battleships usually installed intermediate - caliber guns that were smaller than the main guns but larger than the secondary guns.
But for some reason, the German "Dreadnought" seemed to simply do away with the intermediate - caliber guns.
"Certainly, the stepped turret structure is indeed very innovative, but what's the point if the big guns can't hit the target?"
"Hmm."
"Besides, there are also doubts about the effectiveness of using steam turbines to power such large battleships."
Steam turbines had just started to be applied in the Royal Navy on relatively larger destroyers, which were close to torpedo boats.
Although Sir Kerr knew that steam turbines were more efficient than traditional propulsion methods, was this technology suitable for large ships of the battleship class?
"To be honest, I'm afraid there won't be any significant effect."
Even if steam turbines did revolutionarily increase the speed of battleships, it wouldn't be a major issue.
After all, steam turbines were a British technology invented by the British.
If it was proven that steam turbines were suitable for battleships, then the UK only needed to install them on its own battleships.
"Anyway, the Navy's conclusion is that this 'Dreadnought' is just an ostentatious toy ship of the Kaiser. Of course, a more detailed judgment can only be made after the trial run is over and it is officially commissioned."
But the outcome wouldn't change.
That's what Sir Kerr thought.
"Sigh, there have been constant voices of unease from above. To be honest, I was a bit worried too. But it seems it was unnecessary."
After hearing Sir Kerr's firm judgment, the next Prime Minister of the UK finally heaved a sigh of relief.
It turned out that his decision to trust the Navy was correct.
"The German Navy, just as expected."
The UK had dominated the seas for hundreds of years.
And the German Navy, which had almost no orthodox naval tradition, was now actually trying to catch up with the Royal Navy. It was simply a pipe dream.
"The greatest threat to the UK is indeed not the German Empire, but the Russian Empire."
Balfour, who had underestimated the threat of the German Empire in history and focused on the old rival, the Russian Empire, muttered to himself and shook hands with Sir Kerr in satisfaction.
"Then I'll head back to the Admiralty first. I have a meeting."
"Ah, alright. I also need to go to Buckingham Palace to present this report to His Majesty."
This task was supposed to be completed by the current Prime Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury. However, due to the deterioration of his illness, he was unable to act and had to announce his resignation.
Arthur Balfour had received unanimous support from the entire cabinet and was officially confirmed as the successor to the Marquess of Salisbury. Although the title had not been formally changed yet, he was already, in effect, the Prime Minister of the UK.
"The Boer War ended in victory, and His Majesty's coronation will also take place during my tenure. There's no need to worry about public support at all."
Balfour's face beamed with a smile at the smooth - sailing prospects.
He would become a great Prime Minister.
A great Prime Minister who would surpass his uncle, the Marquess of Salisbury, and the Marquess of Salisbury's political mentor, Disraeli.
The issue of the new German battleships, which had been bothering him recently, had also come to an end, and he had no more worries.
However, not all British people underestimated the "Dreadnought" as Balfour and Sir Kerr did.
...
"Are you joking now? We're doomed! Completely doomed! Why can't you see this?"
"Admiral Fisher, this is a meeting for admirals. Please watch your language."
Admiral Kerr, who had just returned from the Admiralty, said this. But Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher, who had recently been promoted from the Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet to the Second Sea Lord, was glaring furiously.
"Do you think I can hold my tongue now? Not only the government, but also the admirals of the Royal Navy of the British Empire don't care at all about that 'Leviathan' built by the Germans!"
"Hey, Admiral Fisher! Didn't you also read that report? It said that the Dreadnought poses no threat to the British Empire at all."
"That report is completely untrustworthy! It's not only a superficial judgment but also full of prejudice. It's simply rubbish!"
Bang!
Admiral Fisher, seemingly unable to hold back his anger any longer, slammed his fist on the conference table and raised his voice.
As one of the founders of the Dreadnought - class battleships in history, Admiral Fisher quickly recognized the value of the Dreadnought.
"We must not allow Germany to take the lead with the Dreadnought!"
Otherwise, not only would Britain's maritime hegemony be shaken, but it would also come to an end.
Britain must immediately start building its own Dreadnoughts!
However, the Royal Navy and Admiral Kerr did not accept Admiral Fisher's proposition.
The core concepts of the Dreadnought were "large - caliber naval guns" and long - range gunfire using a fire - control system, which were completely at odds with the mainstream mid - and short - range naval gun battles at that time.
Therefore, the Royal Navy was negative about the effectiveness of long - range gunfire. Also, influenced by the greatest admiral of the British Empire, Nelson, and the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy emphasized close - range combat and found it difficult to accept the concept of the Dreadnought.
In fact, Britain finally adopted the Dreadnought design after Admiral Fisher became the First Sea Lord and was inspired by the importance of long - range gunfire in the Battle of Tsushima.
This is the history we are familiar with.
But at this moment, without the lesson of the Battle of Tsushima, people's perception of long - range gunfire was still negative. And Admiral Fisher had just been promoted to the Second Sea Lord, with very limited power in his hands.
Despite this, facing the indifferent looks, Admiral Fisher continued to speak passionately.
"The Germans have recognized the value of the Dreadnought, while we remain indifferent."
As he spoke, Admiral Fisher took out a book from his pocket and waved it.
"The Great Ming Pirate King "
This book had recently started to gain popularity among the Royal Navy, and Admiral Fisher was greatly shocked after reading it.
The villain in the book, the Imperial Japanese Navy, was skilled in close - range combat using mobility.
However, Admiral Qi had completely suppressed the Imperial Japanese Navy through long - range firepower battles with gunfire.
This was highly consistent with Fisher's own envisioned concept and the design philosophy of the Dreadnought.
"Admiral Qi understood these tactics as early as the 16th century."
Admiral Fisher was extremely surprised.
"And the Germans know it too."
After all, this book was written by a noble of the German Empire.
"According to the report, the Imperial German Navy has already started building the next Dreadnought."
If Germany was allowed to widen the gap further, Britain's maritime hegemony would eventually crumble.
Admiral Fisher simply could not stand by and do nothing about this.
"It's not too late yet. We can reconsider..."
"Will you take responsibility if something goes wrong? Do you think building a new - type warship is that easy? Stop spouting nonsense!"
Admiral Kerr, who had always had a poor relationship with Admiral Fisher, interrupted him with a tone full of insult.
"Hah! What a stubborn person! Why can't you see the trend of the times!"
Admiral Fisher was seething with anger, and the veins on his neck were bulging.
The concept of the Navy was changing rapidly.
Falling behind meant doom. Why couldn't this person see that?
Despite Admiral Fisher's inner anger, Admiral Kerr remained firm in his stance.
"Even if we decide to build Dreadnoughts, will Parliament approve of new - type warships with doubtful performance and no verification at all? I bet they will never give the green light."
This was also the difference between Germany and Britain.
Although the German Empire was nominally a constitutional monarchy, in reality it was closer to an autocratic country. Even if Parliament opposed, the Emperor could force the construction of Dreadnoughts. However, in Britain, the construction of any new - type warship had to be approved by Parliament, and there was no way to use the tough - handed approach like in Germany.
"Moreover, according to the report, the cost of building one Dreadnought is several times that of an existing warship."
A few years ago, when the Royal Navy asked Vickers not to sell the Mikasa, a warship with better performance than British vessels, to Japan, Vickers arrogantly refused, saying "If you're capable, buy it yourselves", and the Royal Navy was left helpless.
Although the Royal Navy was the largest in the world in terms of scale, due to the funds needed to maintain its huge size, it often faced financial constraints and was unable to introduce new - type warships.
"The money for building a Dreadnought could build several warships."
"Damn it! Why just don't you understand! If this goes on, it will really be too late! Way too late!"
And Admiral Fisher, who truly recognized the value of the Dreadnought, was extremely anxious.
If Germany was allowed to build a large number of Dreadnoughts, things would be irreparable.
By then, the master of the ocean would no longer be Britain.
And the British Empire, having lost the ocean, would no longer be the British Empire.
Bang!
"Something's happened!"
Just as Admiral Fisher was about to propose building Dreadnoughts again, even at the cost of his own rank, a junior officer burst into the admirals' conference room without knocking.
This was a highly disrespectful act, and no wonder the naval generals' expressions instantly turned stern and cold.
"What an impudent thing to do now! Can't you see we're in a meeting?!"
"S - sorry! But this is really an extremely urgent matter."
"Sigh, what urgent matter?"
Upon hearing the words "urgent news", Admiral Kerr frowned and motioned for the junior officer to speak quickly.
The officer belatedly realized he had forgotten to salute. He quickly stood at attention, saluted, and then immediately began to report.
"An urgent telegram from America. The Venezuelan Navy has seized our ship 'The Queen'!"
"... What?"
Who seized whose ship? Admiral Kerr asked in disbelief, as if he had just heard nonsense.
The other naval generals, including Admiral Fisher, reacted in the same way.
"Did I hear that right? The country of Venezuela actually used force to seize a ship of the British Empire?!"
"Yes, that's indeed the case."
"What's the reason?"
Having had an argument with Admiral Kerr over the Dreadnought issue, Admiral Fisher was on the verge of losing his temper. He asked in a cold tone. His mind had cooled down due to his anger.
Of course, the officer also noticed that Admiral Fisher was in a bad mood and couldn't help but tremble.
To ease the tension, the officer swallowed hard and said as he had heard.
"According to the Venezuelan government, it's because they suspect our ship of assisting rebels. However, whether this is true has not been confirmed yet."
"Are these Venezuelans crazy!"
"How dare they touch the British Empire!"
The generals, unable to contain their anger, pounded the conference table and roared in fury.
It didn't matter whether the British ship had actually helped the rebels or not.
The most important thing was that a small South American country like Venezuela had dared to provoke the British Empire.
Moreover, Venezuela had long since made Britain dissatisfied by refusing to repay its debts.
And now they had actually seized a British ship, an act that was almost tantamount to a declaration of war.
"Admiral Kerr! There's an urgent summons from Downing Street!"
Another officer rushed into the conference room with even more serious news.
"Seems like no one will care about Dreadnoughts for the time being," Admiral Kerr whispered to Admiral Fisher as he left the conference room.
However, Admiral Fisher just gave a cold snort and said nothing.
Now in Britain, the issue of Dreadnoughts was no longer a concern.
The Venezuelan crisis.
A great storm stirred up by a small South American country, and the focus of all the European powers began to shift. And the German Empire was right at the center of this storm.