Chapter 734 - 339: British Response (Part 3)

Other countries with tens of millions of people can mobilize millions of troops. However, Spain, with a population of just over twenty million, can only mobilize a little over two million troops.

Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil’s gaze shifted away from Spain and then focused on Italy, located in the center of the Mediterranean.

But soon, Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil shook his head again.

If the rejection of Spain was due to poor relations between Spain and the United Kingdom, coupled with the UK’s reluctance to see the unification of the Iberian Peninsula, then the rejection of Italy was simply because Italy’s strength was not formidable.

Even though Italy has a larger population, the consensus among European nations is that Spain is the stronger country.

Although Italy is also a great power, in a super war involving multiple great powers, Italy would be of little consequence.

Surveying all of Europe, Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil was astounded to find that the United Kingdom currently occupies a somewhat embarrassing position.

The United Kingdom is undoubtedly powerful, but the issue is that other great powers have allies. Is the United Kingdom still powerful without allies?

This is a question open to discussion.

"What is your opinion, then? Should we stop the formation of the Franco-Russian Alliance in this war? But if we prevent the Franco-Russian Alliance, will the Russians still be a match for the German-Austrian Alliance?" Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil turned his attention back to the Minister of Colonial Affairs who had raised this point and continued to inquire.

"For us, we may indeed need to prevent the formation of the Franco-Russian Alliance," continued the Minister of Colonial Affairs. "The comprehensive strength of the German-Austrian Alliance is not so strong, and the Germans and Austrians do not have much conflict or competition with us.

But the Franco-Russian Alliance is different. France and Russia are both our enemies, and both are quite powerful great powers. If allowed to unite, it’s not just the Germans who will suffer, but us as well.

The united Franco-Russian Alliance will certainly engage in greater conflicts with us in Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and Central Asia, diverting our attention and disrupting our colonial plans in Africa and other regions.

The Russians have a larger population, and France has a developed economy and industry. Together, these two nations would form a deadly enemy.

Instead of letting the Franco-Russian Alliance rampage across Europe, it would be better to let the Austrians defeat the Russians. As long as this war does not affect Russian territory, future European competition will occur between Germany, Austria, and Russia."

Actually, such matters and related opinions should be expressed by the Foreign Secretary, but this particular Cabinet Government is somewhat unusual.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, has not assumed the usual dual role of Prime Minister and Minister of Finance but instead took on another important Cabinet position as Foreign Secretary.

This means that if Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil does not pay attention to matters concerning the Foreign Office, then other department heads need to remind him.

After listening to what the Minister of Colonial Affairs had to say, Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil finally nodded and said, "Let’s do it this way, make every effort to prevent the formation of the Franco-Russian Alliance.

As for this war, we should observe its developments from a neutral standpoint. I don’t want any other great powers besides Germany and Russia to join this war. Please convey my views to other countries."