To William II, he would much rather see Australia lean toward Germany. Even if it could not directly participate in the future war, it should at least pose a considerable threat to France's colonies in eastern Africa and Asia.
But if Australia formed a close partnership with the more familiar United Kingdom, then with the United Kingdom's powerful strength and closer blood ties, winning Australia over would be much easier.
By then, Australia might not only fail to become a surprise weapon in the war, but might instead become a logistical supply station for Britain and France, and could even threaten Germany's overseas colonies.
That was something William II did not want to see. The degree of Britain's aid to Australia could very well change which side Australia took in the future war.
In a conventional war, William II was confident that the German Army was inferior to no one. It could even gain a tremendous advantage against any army.
But that did not mean William II had lost all reason. If Germany were blockaded, cutting off all its maritime transport routes, while France and Russia had vast territories and colonies to support them, then no matter how valiant the German Army was, it could not withstand the enemy's inexhaustible logistical supplies.
By winning Australia over and having it inflict some damage on France's colonies and maritime transport routes during the war, William II would have confidence in completely defeating France, or even ending the war outright. He did not need Australia to destroy everything; causing even partial destruction would be enough.
That was also why William II cared so much about Britain's aid to Australia. Compared with distant Germany, which had no relationship with them at all, Britain clearly held a much more important place in the hearts of