Chapter 1292 - 301: Winston’s Plan
Since the independence of the United States, the core strategy of the United Kingdom as a colonial empire has been singular: ensuring the unimpeded route from the homeland to India.
The nation posing the greatest threat to the British safety of this route is not Germany, thriving in Europe, but East Africa wedged between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
It can be said that whether the United Kingdom can continue to sit firmly as the World Overlord entirely depends on East Africa’s mood. As long as East Africa severs the connection between the British homeland and India, the UK might as well surrender directly.
Thus it is clear who the greatest threat to the British Empire is, and it seems Britain is powerless against this gigantic East African entity.
Facing everyone’s gloom, Winston stepped forward and said, "Gentlemen, this is not the time to regret our past choices. As the Prime Minister has said, the empire is on the brink of danger."
"Therefore, we have no other choice but to first overcome the difficulties of war, defeat the Germans, and only then consider other issues. Of course, my stance remains unchanged; we absolutely cannot be lenient towards the Labor Party."
As expected, Winston still bears in mind the Labor Party and it’s no wonder he would become a primary promoter of the Cold War in his previous life.
"Prime Minister, the crux of the problem is clear: we must achieve ultimate victory in war while ensuring our overseas interests are no longer eroded by the United States and East Africa."
"And as long as these two countries are involved, we British have room to maneuver, as the interests of Americans and East Africans do not entirely align; they are even fierce competitors."
"So even after the war ends, we can still utilize the contradictions between the two countries to make them contend with each other, much like the balance policy we previously executed on the European Continent."
"Thus ensuring the future of the empire’s interests in India and other regions and thereby slowing the empire’s decline."
After further organizing his thoughts, Winston continued, "Concerning the United States, we must absolutely prevent it from aligning with East Africa but rather intensify the contradictions between them."
"Currently, America and East Africa have fierce competitive relations worldwide, such as in the Caribbean Sea, Nanyang, the Far East, and even West Africa."
"And if the Allies win the war, it will inevitably form a strong German Country alliance extending from the European Continent to Africa."
"If this German Country alliance’s prototype truly materializes, it’s definitely not good news for America. This means even if America controls the entire continent, it will still be isolated from the world’s main body, let alone the fact that the United States currently can’t even control the Caribbean Sea."
"That’s why we should focus on promoting the narrative of the German threat to the Americans, preventing this German beast from appearing in the world, if we let the Allies achieve victory."
"Then everyone around the world will live under the dark order of these German war maniacs."
Winston’s words brought a shine to Prime Minister David’s eyes, and he said, "So, even for its own interest, the United States must stand on our side, unless it truly wishes to forever play the role of the marginal world."
"No!" Winston denied, "Not just standing on our side, but they must immediately join the war against the Allies, as the Ottoman Empire war machine starts; only more and more countries will stand on the side of the Allies."
"If the Allies truly achieve victory, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States won’t escape, and eventually, the world order will fall into the hands of the three German nations."
"Thus, Americans cannot continue sitting idly by watching; they must make an effort, and simultaneously, we must release... some enticing benefits that might intrigue Americans, such as South America, where we still have considerable assets and can completely hand over to the United States."
Before the war, South America could be said to have been the UK’s backyard, and since the UK joined the war, America and East Africa have fought fiercely in South America.
In the overseas market competition between East Africa and the United States, East Africa is actually in an advantageous position. Besides South America, East Africa has advantages in Nanyang, West Africa, and even the Pacific Ocean that America cannot match.
And Winston proposed using South America as a bargaining chip, naturally to further intensify the contradictions between America and East Africa, since it’s foreseeable that Britain’s return to South America will be quite difficult; thus, it’s better to sell South American market as a chip to the United States.
David quite agreed with this point, he said, "Not only South America, perhaps some places in the Indian Ocean could also be ceded to the United States."
Unexpectedly, Winston opposed, "This cannot be, Prime Minister, West Africa and South America can be used as negotiation chips with the United States, but the Indian Ocean must not be treated so."
"Because that would provoke East Africa, if we at this moment introduce Americans into the Indian Ocean, then East Africa will truly turn against us."
"And that is something we cannot bear; after all, East Africa can always cut off our connection with India, and East Africa consistently sees the Indian Ocean as its core interest, if we touch East Africa’s core interests, it will unhesitatingly lean toward the Allies."
Winston’s reminder instantly shocked David with a cold sweat, only now realizing that if East Africa is truly cornered, the British Empire might disintegrate even before defeating Germany.
Winston then continued, "We must use whatever means necessary to persuade the United States to join the war, while also fully striving to stabilize this country of East Africa."
"The United States determines whether we can eventually win, while East Africa can immediately adjudicate the empire’s life or death."
"Therefore, in order to stabilize East Africa and prevent it from joining the Allies, we must not only endure humiliation, but also abandon some interests in the Indian Ocean to hold East Africa back."
"This might include islands in the Indian Ocean, colonies along the Persian Gulf, Red Sea coastline, and even Australia; as long as East Africa doesn’t join the Allies, we must use great interests as the price to keep East Africa at bay."
Winston’s words were indeed astonishing, even the continent of Australia, encompassing millions of square kilometers, became a bargaining chip that could be discarded.
Naturally, this drew criticism from some cabinet ministers, to which Winston replied without changing his expression, "Can these places possibly compare with the interests of India, Egypt, or the Malacca Strait?"
"If we don’t offer a surprising chip, East Africans might get even more surprising chips from the Allies, including India."
"Losing India, the British Empire can’t be even talked of, and we are only stabilizing East Africa, not necessarily trying to hand over so many colonies to them."
"As long as we can end the war in the shortest time, ultimately what is lost can be retrieved."
"Prior to this, we can first give East Africa some small lures, such as British Somaliland, as the core of the Red Sea route is the Suez Canal; as long as this waterway is not lost, we can maintain the empire’s baseline."
"And Australia is merely the sweetest pie we draw for East Africans, we could even do the same for Americans."
"Everything aims to rapidly end Europe’s war, so that we can have the capital to continue competing with the United States and East Africa afterward."
"More importantly, this is not just a matter for we British alone. France also needs to work hard alongside us for the future world, our bilateral interests. France has always had a good relationship with East Africa, so in the task of stabilizing East Africa, France should exert itself the most."
"And then Russia, we also need to maintain the current Russian government’s rule, support them in suppressing the Labor Party while actively engaging in war against the Allies."
After listening to Winston’s speech, the cabinet members confirmed this as the best way to solve the problems the United Kingdom faces.
Prime Minister David said, "In the upcoming period, our work will all turn toward one goal: urging the United States to join the war, while stabilizing East Africa, boosting the confidence of our Allies, thus drawing Romania, Italy, and other European countries to encircle the Allies."