To be honest, if Arthur had not known what would happen to Germany later, he would have readily agreed to William II's terms.
Although Australia had received a large amount of equipment from the United Kingdom, building a complete industrial system would still take decades.
With Germany's help, however, that time could be shortened indefinitely. Australia's industry might even undergo earth-shaking changes every year.
In terms of industry, Germany unquestionably had the strength to challenge the United Kingdom. If it had possessed as many colonies as Britain and France, Germany's industrial power might even have rivaled that of the United States.
Seeing Arthur hesitate, William II continued with a smile, "If Arthur doesn't think this is enough, Germany can also provide Australia with more than five hundred million marks in low-interest loans and dispatch industrial experts to settle in Australia, helping you build a complete industrial system."
Five hundred million marks was roughly equivalent to twenty-five million pounds, which was no small sum.
More importantly, after Germany's defeat in the First World War, the German mark would suffer wild devaluation. Five hundred million marks were worth twenty-five million pounds now, but in the future, five hundred million marks might not even be worth five hundred thousand pounds.
If the repayment of this loan were delayed for twenty years, wouldn't that amount to Germany giving Arthur more than twenty million pounds for free?
"Cousin William, although I'm very tempted by your proposal, you also know that Australia is a vast country with a sparse population and an agricultural economy. We're extremely backward in industry and finance, so I'm afraid we won't be able to help Germany much," Arthur said with a smile.
Although Germany's terms were very tempting, simply offering these conditions and expecting Australia to plunge into the vortex of the First World War was still far too simplistic.
"Of course, Arthur. Once war breaks out in Europe, most of the French Army units will be concentrated on the battlefields of Europe and Africa, including their fleet. You only need to harass and continually sabotage their African and Asian colonies. The great German Army will crush them on the main battlefield, no matter how many men they have." William II spoke with a hint of pride.
William II truly had the confidence to say such a thing. Just as the British Empire's navy was undisputedly the world's finest, the German Empire's army was likewise unquestionably number one. Whether in the individual quality of its soldiers or the German Army's overall military strength, the second and third places were far behind Germany.
"Cousin William, if you want us to join your camp and oppose France, Australia is powerless. But if you only want us to support you in secret and pose a small threat to France, we can still do that," Arthur said with a smile. "But you also know that Australia lacks everything. Even if we want to do something for Germany, we don't have the means. I hope that, in addition to industrial and financial support, Germany can also provide Australia with artillery and warships. In return for Germany's support, Australia promises that once war breaks out, we will find an opportunity to sabotage France's African and Asian colonies and draw away some of the French Army's attention."
"Excellent, Arthur. I'm delighted to see you standing on my side rather than behaving like Uncle Edward. I once thought that, based on our blood ties, Germany and the United Kingdom could become close allies. But I never expected Uncle Edward to insist on standing with France. In that case, all I can do is apologize to Grandmother Victoria." William II nodded in satisfaction and said to Arthur with a smile.
Because of their blood ties, William II had initially been quite close to the United Kingdom.
But as Germany rose steadily, it naturally became opposed to the United Kingdom. No matter how much William II wanted to mend the rift between Germany and Britain, it was already too late.
"Cousin William, I hope the aid from Germany can reach Australia soon. At the very least, Australia must build a complete industrial system before the European War begins, so that we can help Germany during the war," Arthur said with a smile, paying no attention to William II's complaints about Crown Prince Edward.
With aid from Germany that cost nothing, Arthur would naturally feel safer the sooner it arrived.
As for repaying the loan in the future, they might not even spend a fraction of what they had borrowed today.
"Haha, no problem, Arthur. The industrial equipment, financial support, and personnel I've promised you will all reach Australia before Christmas. But I hope the relationship between Germany and Australia can remain hidden for the time being. It would be best not to mention this to anyone. That way, Australia can deal a fatal blow to France at the critical moment and make this treaty as effective as possible." William II laughed heartily, speaking as though it were of no consequence.
To William II, this support was merely a drop in the bucket compared with the burden it placed on the country.
But if it could bring about the severe destruction of French colonies by Australia during the war, then even if Germany had to offer twice as much, it would still be well worth it.
After all, most of France's economy and raw materials came from its colonies. Once those colonies were damaged or threatened, France's economy and industry would face a tremendous threat as well.
"No problem, Cousin William." Arthur hurriedly agreed.
Arthur had initially been wondering how to bring up the matter and persuade William II not to publicize Australia's relationship with Germany.
Given the current situation, even with Australia's full support, Germany had no hope of defeating Britain and France.
If Australia were dragged into Germany's vortex and became one of the defeated nations of the First World War, that would run completely counter to Arthur's plan for Australia's rise.
Australia could take part in the First World War, but it had to be on the winning side. Only then could Australia pursue its own interests after the war and establish its sphere of influence in the South Pacific.
"As for the artillery and warship-building technology you requested, I permit you to import it from Germany. As for what technology you can actually purchase, that will depend on whether your diplomats have the ability." William II spoke with a smile.
Many of Germany's most renowned technologies were in the hands of the capitalists who had established munitions factories and shipyards.
Although many of these were government-operated factories, getting them to hand over their technology would not be as simple as William II giving a single order.
"Of course, Cousin William. We are also completely sincere about importing German technology. Once I return, I'll send a diplomatic mission to Germany." Arthur said with a smile.
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