After receiving the call from Prime Minister's residence, the ministers of British Cabinet got out of their warm beds one by one, got in their cars, and rushed to Prime Minister's residence. Everyone knows that if there had not been an emergency, Prime Minister Asquith would definitely not have summoned them in the middle of the night. What's more, Royal Navy seems to be in a decisive battle with Germany. Therefore, the purpose of Prime Minister Asquith summoning them is naturally obvious.
"I hope Royal Navy can win this naval battle! If defeated, then British Empire will be in trouble, or big *trouble!" Edward Sir Gray was sitting in his car, worried.
There are many people who have the same idea as Edward? Sir Gray. As Cabinet Minister of Britain, they are undoubtedly aware of the severe situation British Empire is facing now. If they can win in the naval battle, then British Empire has the possibility of winning this war. Even though a lot of national power was lost in this war, they were still able to survive. If Royal Navy loses, everything will be over.
In less than half an hour, the Cabinet Ministers of Britain arrived at Prime Minister's residence.
"Everyone, I have no choice but to call you here so late. Let Mr. Churchill inform everyone of the results of the naval battle first!" Prime Minister Asquith looked sad, which naturally made those Cabinet Ministers feel a bad feeling in their hearts.
Churchill stood up and saw everyone's eyes falling on him, and immediately felt great pressure.
"Everyone, I have some very bad news to tell you." Churchill said.
This made all Cabinet members frown tightly together. Obviously, Royal Navy has lost this time, and everyone guessed this result.
"In the naval battle that just ended, the Royal Navy failed to defeat the Germans and win. Instead, it suffered heavy losses in the naval battle and lost the naval battle. In the naval battle, the Royal Navy had 22 battleships and 5 battlecruisers sunk, and another three battleships and 1 battlecruiser. The ship was severely damaged. The losses to the cruisers and destroyers were also very heavy. After paying a heavy price, we only sunk one German battleship and severely damaged several of their battleships and battlecruisers." Churchill bite the bullet and informed everyone of the relevant situation.
As soon as Churchill finished speaking, the sound of everyone inhaling could be heard in the conference room. Obviously, everyone expected Royal Navy to lose so miserably, but they didn't expect it to lose so miserably.
"Mr. Churchill, so many Capital Ships have been lost, but only very small losses have been caused to Germany people. How can we continue to fight this battle?" Minister of War Richard Haldan looked angry.
You know, there are now more than one million Expeditionary Force fighting in France. Royal Navy suffered such a huge defeat, which would undoubtedly hand over the control of the sea to the hands of the Germany people. By then, it may not be so easy for them to ensure the safety of the maritime transportation line from Britain to France. In addition, once Anglo-French Allied Forces cannot resist the attack of Germany people in Western Front, the sea channel will be cut off, which will directly prevent British Expeditionary Force from returning to British mainland.
"Lord Haldane, Royal Navy have tried their best in this battle. We were defeated by the Germany people, not because the Royal Navy officers and soldiers were greedy. We were afraid of death. We tried our best to defeat the Germany people, but the Germany people were so powerful that we were defeated miserably." Churchill explained.
Richard Haldan opened his mouth, wanting to say something more. However, nothing was said in the end. After all, he also knew that Royal Navy could not be entirely blamed for this failure. Who made Royal Navy's previous development ideas go wrong? This makes the single-ship performance of Royal Navy and Capital Ships completely incomparable with German Navy. In this naval battle, he was beaten severely by German Navy and suffered heavy losses.
Now that Royal Navy has failed, there is no point in pursuing the responsibility.
"Prime Minister, Royal Navy failed in this naval battle. So, according to the plan previously drawn up by Mr. Churchill, do we still have a chance to make a comeback?" Chancellor of the Exchequer Lloyd? George asked.
Churchill shook his head. "We have lost all our Capital Ships. The losses we have caused to the Germany people are very small. Although we still have dozens of Pre-dreadnought. However, the combat effectiveness of those Pre-dreadnought is very poor. They are simply vulnerable to the Germany people's New-style Battleship. If we follow the previously drawn up plan and let them deal with the Germany people, they will die."
Suddenly, all Cabinet Minister were silent. They all know that Royal Navy suffered a terrible defeat this time, and at the same time they failed to complete the set combat goals. This will make it impossible for them to defeat German Navy and regain control of the sea according to the predetermined plan. Even after the fiasco of Royal Navy, the security of the mainland was seriously threatened. If German Army wins Western Front and defeats France, if Britain does not accept the harsh conditions of Germany people, German Army will definitely land on British Isles. At that time, the entire British Isles will be caught in the flames of war.
Such a terrible result made all the Cabinet Minister and British Empire look pale.
"Prime Minister, since the navy has failed. Then, our chance of winning in this war is almost zero. In order to prevent the mainland from falling into the flames of war, we may be able to negotiate with the Germany people and end the war." Foreign Minister Edward Sir Gray suggested.
"However, the conditions proposed by the Germany people are too harsh. If we agree to their conditions, British Empire will cease to exist."
"No matter how much profits we lose, it is still much better than the mainland being turned into a scorched earth by the Germany people's attack."
With the failure of Royal Navy, more and more Cabinet Minister people began to think about whether they should have peace talks with Germany people. Of course, the peace talks will lose a lot of benefits, but if the mainland falls into war, it is also not what they want to see.
"Germany people's conditions are very harsh, but we can bargain with them."
Seeing that Cabinet Minister people are more and more inclined to have peace talks with Germany people, Churchill is very unwilling to do so. He didn't want British Empire to be defeated by the Germany people like this.