As nation after nation agreed to join the Allied Powers, Germany had undoubtedly laid the groundwork for integrating the strength of all Europe. Next, before the outbreak of war, Germany would focus on unifying the European nations, drawing out all their strength and twisting it into a single rope. That way, when war erupted in the future, Germany's chances of victory would be even greater.
On the second day of the conference, Field Marshal Manstein, Minister of War and Chief of Staff, began presenting the troop mobilization requirements for each nation participating in the Allied Powers once war broke out.
The Empire's Protectorates had already been notified beforehand. They already knew what was coming, so it would not be announced again at this conference. Of course, as Germany's Protectorates, they had even less right to object. Whatever Germany demanded, they had to comply with it, without the slightest room for bargaining. Perhaps that was the price they had to pay for placing their national security under Germany's protection!
"The Kingdom of Italy must mobilize three million troops after war breaks out and place them under the command of the Allied General Staff Headquarters. Of those, 1.5 million must complete mobilization within three months after the outbreak of war!" Field Marshal Manstein said.
The Kingdom of Italy had a population of more than forty million. Mobilizing three million troops was far from their limit. However, mobilizing so many soldiers and equipping them would undoubtedly cost a great deal of money.
King Vittorio Emanuele III and Prime Minister Mussolini both felt their hearts bleed. But when they had declared their intention to join the Allied Powers, they had spoken in grand and lofty terms. If they went back on their word now, their reputations would be utterly ruined. What was more, Germany