Wilhelm II furrowed his brow. If decisive measures were indeed to be taken, the likelihood of war would be exceedingly high. Could Germany emerge victorious in such a conflict?
"The French have secured the support of the British and the Russians, which has emboldened their stance. If we continue to assert ourselves, we risk igniting a war," voiced Foreign Minister von Kiderlen-Waechter, displaying some concern.
"Your Excellency, you worry too much. The French are merely a polished Gallic rooster. Over thirty years ago, we defeated them once. At that time, we were merely the Kingdom of Prussia. Now, we have unified the entire German Empire. Our strength has multiplied exponentially since then. The French lack the courage to engage us in battle. Even with the backing of the British and the Russians, what does it matter? We possess the world's foremost army and the second-largest navy. Should war indeed break out, victory is by no means guaranteed for them," Wilhelm II declared with a broad smile, exuding optimism about the potential conflict.
"Your Excellency, are our troops prepared?" Wilhelm II inquired, turning to Chief of the General Staff von Moltke.
"Your Majesty, the army is ready for mobilization. We can achieve full readiness within three months. The French army is utterly incapable of withstanding our assault. However, we must be cautious of the British and the Russians. During the Franco-Prussian War, we had the support of other nations. This time, however, they stand firmly with the French. Should we deploy forces against France, the British will undoubtedly reinforce them, and the Russians will pose a threat from the east. Thus, our army cannot commit its full strength against the French, which will severely limit our military capabilities and alter the dynamics of the war," von Moltke analyzed. Although he acknowledged the strength of the German army, he doubted its ability to triumph against the French with the full support of both Britain and France.
"Your Excellency, we have allies as well. When war breaks out, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy will not remain idle. According to the treaty we signed, they will fulfill their obligations and aid us in battle. If we can swiftly defeat the French, victory will be assured," Crown Prince Wilhelm replied excitedly, as if everything were within his grasp.
However, he was somewhat carried away by his enthusiasm, failing to notice the displeased expression on Wilhelm II's face and the slight smirks of other ministers. In their view, while Crown Prince Wilhelm was undoubtedly exceptional among his peers, he was still too young and inexperienced.
Indeed, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a staunch ally of the German Empire, and they would certainly fight alongside Germany in the event of war. However, the current state of the Austro-Hungarian Empire resembled that of a long-suffering patient. Domestic strife had severely weakened its national strength. Moreover, the combat effectiveness of the Austro-Hungarian army left much to be desired. Therefore, the German ministers were skeptical about the military capabilities of their ally. Even if the Austro-Hungarians fought alongside Germany, their contributions would likely be minimal.
As for the Kingdom of Italy, their reliability was even more questionable. Although Italy had joined the Central Powers, their motivations were purely self-serving. Convincing them to contribute their forces would be a considerable challenge.
"Very well, Prince, I have noted your opinions and will give them due consideration," Wilhelm II responded.
"Uh, yes, Father!" Crown Prince Wilhelm replied, momentarily taken aback, a flicker of shame and anger crossing his face, but he refrained from saying more.
"Your Excellency, will our navy be capable of breaking the British blockade if war breaks out?" Wilhelm II inquired.
As Emperor of the German Empire, Wilhelm II was acutely aware of the critical factors that constrained Germany. Should Germany encounter a British naval blockade and lose its overseas trade routes while failing to secure a swift victory in war, it would spell disaster for the nation.
"Your Majesty, the German navy is currently in a phase of rapid development. We have completed four Brandenburg-class battleships, five Kaiser Friedrich III-class battleships, five Witteisbach-class battleships, and two Brunswick-class battleships, with three more under construction. Additionally, construction has commenced on five Deutschland-class battleships," Admiral von Tirpitz reported.
Among Germany's primary vessels, sixteen are now completed, with eight more under construction. Once finished, the German navy will possess a total of twenty-four battleships.
However, all these battleships are pre-dreadnoughts, characterized by weak defenses, slow speeds, and two-tiered main artillery.
"Our adversary, the Royal Navy of the British Empire, currently boasts eight Dreadnought-class battleships, two Barfleur-class battleships, one Renown-class battleship, nine Majestic-class battleships, six Older Star-class battleships, three Courageous-class battleships, five London-class battleships, and six Duncan-class battleships. Additionally, two Fast-class battleships are under construction, along with five Edward VII-class battleships. Plans are in place to construct eight of this class, with three more set to commence. Thus, the British navy currently possesses a total of forty-one completed battleships, with ten more in various stages of construction," Admiral von Tirpitz stated, his expression devoid of emotion.
The faces of those present paled slightly. The strength of the British navy was formidable, and the gap between the German and British fleets was stark. Even if all of Germany's battleships were operational, they would only amount to half, or even less, than the British fleet. This disparity undoubtedly placed significant pressure on the German navy. In the event of war, defeating the British navy and breaking their blockade would be an exceedingly daunting task.
Moreover, Germany's perennial rival, France, also possessed a formidable navy, which, while not on par with Germany's, should not be underestimated. The comparative analysis further emphasized the disadvantages faced by the German navy.