Wars had always been easy to start and hard to end. This time was no exception. As the disadvantaged side, Britain was bound to pay a price if it wanted to withdraw from this war.
The bombardments of recent days had indeed lowered the British public's expectations, but no matter how low those expectations fell, they could not possibly accept sacrificing the homeland itself.
Never mind allowing Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to become independent—even India was something the British Government had no desire to relinquish.
Not wanting to was one thing, but politicians had never had much integrity. When necessary, they could still compromise.
India's situation had already fallen apart. Facing the siege of millions of allied troops, its fall was only a matter of time.
Since it was destined to be impossible to hold, there was room for compromise. Of course, that was only a possibility. Until the final moment, proud John Bull would not bow his head.
To force the British to surrender as soon as possible, on October 17, 1905, Franz ordered the combined fleet to sail east into the Indian Ocean and launch an all-out Indian campaign.
London
Indian Secretary Hill: "Since August of this year, the enemy has launched fierce attacks on India from the east and northwest. The situation is extremely critical.
"On the northwestern front, the enemy has captured *** Fort, and more than half of Pakistan has fallen. On the eastern front, the enemy has occupied Burma and is now advancing toward the Bay of Bengal.
"The colonial government has exhausted every possible measure, even going so far as to promise the Indians independence after the war in exchange for local support.
"Yet in the face of the enemy's ferocious offensive, we still appear utterly powerless. In particular, the enemy navy