Toronto, British Prime Minister's Office. British Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey was reporting the American proposal to Churchill.
"Prime Minister, the Americans have concluded that the military coup in Portugal was the work of the Germans. Portugal is expected to sell the Azores to the Germans very soon. Once the Germans occupy the Azores, it will likely be no good thing for either of our countries. The German navy could use the Azores as a base and directly threaten us." Sir Edward Grey spoke with a grave expression.
Churchill's expression was equally grave. As Britain's Prime Minister and former First Sea Lord, he naturally understood the Azores' vital strategic position in the Atlantic Ocean. Back when the British Empire had dominated the world, the Azores had not seemed particularly important strategically. At that time, no nation could contend with the British Empire's Royal Navy. But things were completely different now. The British mainland had fallen, and the British government could only huddle in Canada. Although the American Navy was expanding rapidly, its strength still lagged far behind the German Navy. If Germany turned the Azores into a naval base as well, then the British and American navies would likely be squeezed into the western Atlantic. By then, let alone launching a counterattack against the European continent, even entering the eastern Atlantic would be extremely difficult.
"Anyone could figure out with their toes that the military coup in Portugal was the Germans' doing. But even if we know that, what can we do? We simply have no way of dealing with the Germans!" Churchill sounded somewhat helpless. The British Empire was already like the setting sun, fading into the west. If Germany did not cross the sea to attack them, it would already be God's blessing.
"Prime Minister, the Americans have