The Rise of Australasia

If the death and injury of millions of peasants could lead to huge benefits for Russia after the war, the Russian government and its upper echelons would be wholeheartedly in favor of this strategy.

As for the British Empire, once France and Russia both agreed, the British naturally could not keep dragging their feet.

Moreover, the British were confident in their naval capabilities. Being able to defeat the German High Seas Fleet and deploying their army to achieve certain war results, Britain could also possibly become the country with the greatest input.

Arthur, who proposed this method of benefit distribution, actually agreed with this form of distribution as well.

In any case, as one of the Four Great Powers of the Allies, Australasia's share of the spoils would be at least the fourth-largest in the postwar world.

Even if a great power like Italy changed sides during the war, their impact and postwar status would still be absolutely no match for Australasia.

What's more, whether Russia could survive the war unscathed remained a question. If Russia were to collapse during World War I, then Australasia would have one less competitor after the war, and their share of the spoils would rise to third in the world.

Arthur was already quite satisfied with the benefits of being the third in the world. At least in the short term, Australasia did not have the strength to compete with Britain and France, even after their World War I weakening.

If they could use the post-war distribution of benefits to propel Australasia into the top five or even top four great powers in the world, then Australasia would truly have greater confidence in pursuing a higher status and more interests.

Apart from anything else, after winning the war, Australasia would immediately become the fifth great power in the world, following Britain, France, Russia, and the United States.

From a historical perspective, the Allies, especially France, were ruthless in exploiting Germany after the war, which severely limited Germany's military strength.

If they could take this opportunity to absorb many of Germany's factory equipment and talented experts, as well as some of Germany's industrial strength and foundations, then Australasia would have the foundation to compete with the United States.

Don't underestimate the United States at present. Although its military strength is currently weak, it's industrial and economic capacities are just about enough to be considered beautiful.

At least compared to Australasia, which has weaker industrial capabilities apart from heavy industry, the United States' industrial capabilities are much stronger.

Of course, if you were to talk purely about military strength, the United States is already no match for Australasia at this point.

If Australasia were bordering the United States and using the military technology currently controlled by Australasia, it wouldn't be impossible to eliminate the United States.

Of course, the current agreements on benefit distribution are merely a draft at this stage.

When the war finally ends, not only will the distribution be based on each country's actual efforts, but it will also depend on how much flesh can be cut from the bodies of the nations involved.

However, after several days of negotiations, the Four Great Powers have reached some principle agreements.

After the war is won, the British will receive all the spoils of the German Navy and the largest share of the colonies from the Allied countries.

In order to compensate the other three nations, France will be allowed to reclaim Alsace Lorraine, and willreceive some compensation from Germany and Italy's territories.

As for Russia, they have Austria Poland, German-occupied Poland, and Britain officially gives up its alliance with the island nation.

Finally, Australasia will be allowed to fully receive Germany's colonies in the Pacific, and the Allies will turn a blind eye to Australasia's expansion in Southeast Asia.

Of course, the Southeast Asian Region refers to the Dutch East Indies. As for the British Empire's northern territories and the Southeast Asian Peninsula, as well as the highly important Malacca Strait, these areas are still not yet within Australasia's reach.

Of course, in order to express support for Australasia, the Allies have agreed to Arthur's request to receive some of Germany's factories and talent after the war, following his mediation.

The attitude of these German experts and talents towards Britain, France, and Russia after the war can be imagined, and these three countries are not interested in receiving them.

These principle divisions also involve some of the more important core interests of each country.

Although the British Empire gets the largest share of the German Navy's spoils and the largest share of the colonies after the war, the compensation given to the other three nations is barely enough to satisfy the Three Great Powers.

As for Australasia, they are not interested in the African colonies. Therefore, permission to expand in the Dutch East Indies and the opportunity to receive German factories and talents are much more important than the African colonies.

Apart from these core interests, matters such as compensation, property transfers, and the surrender of some important territories, as well as restrictions on other treaties involving the Allied countries, will depend on the specific circumstances after the war.

The key is to determine the core interests. As long as each country's declared core interests are respected, the Allies will continue to maintain their alliance, and not unravel due to internal interest divisions before the war has even begun.

In addition to these, the Allies have also reached an agreement that does not have too much to do with Europe: the British, French, Russian, and Australasian "Pacific Treaty".

The treaty stipulates that Russia will have dominance in the northwestern part of the Pacific, while Australasia will have dominance in the southwestern and southern parts of the Pacific.

The Four Great Powers of the Allies respect the hegemony of Russia and Australasia, while Britain and France enjoy a special status in the Pacific.

In addition to respecting the rights of the two Allied countries in the Pacific region, the Pacific Treaty also stipulates that if a non-Allied nation expands its interests in the region, it will be considered a provocation against the Allies.

The Allies as a whole should provide assistance to the provoked nation, and, when necessary, dispatch their armies for support.

If the previous convention targeted the Central Powers, then this arrangement specifically targets the United States.

Only the United States, a colonial power on the other side of the Pacific, could pose a threat to Russia and Australasia's dominance in the Pacific region.

Although it is unlikely that Britain and France will wage a direct war against the United States after the war, this treaty serves as a sufficient deterrent to the United States.

As long as the Allies do not break down, Arthur can rely on this Pacific Treaty to obtain more assistance from his other allies and acquire more strength to confront the United States.

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