London, England. As the capital of the world's foremost power, it should be the center of the globe. Once, London truly embodied the heart of the world, where goods from every corner of the earth could be found.
However, merely three months into the war, London has descended into a state of desolation. The streets are nearly devoid of pedestrians, and those who do walk are hasty and anxious. The shops lining the avenues have shuttered, for they have little left to sell. The blockade enforced by Germany's formidable naval fleet and submarines has precipitated a severe shortage of supplies within the United Kingdom.
Although American merchant vessels have delivered a substantial quantity of provisions, these consist primarily of food and various mineral resources. Other goods have not arrived, as the British lack the bandwidth to focus on anything beyond the essential war materials necessary for sustaining their efforts, hoping to endure until ultimate victory.
A solitary automobile traverses the deserted streets, bearing the esteemed Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey. Previously, he rode in an opulent Daimler A-Class; however, following the onset of war—especially after the Royal Navy suffered significant losses at the hands of the German fleet—he opted for a locally produced vehicle. While British-made cars are far from impressive, both in aesthetics and comfort, at least they spare him the ire of an enraged populace.
Sir Edward Grey is not alone in this decision; members of the Cabinet have similarly exchanged their luxury vehicles for homegrown alternatives. In the face of public discontent and the dire straits of the war, they dare not provoke further outrage. These ministers are determined not to see their government toppled by an infuriated citizenry due to their imprudent choices.
"Alas! In just three months, London has become this way. The tide of war is increasingly turning against us!" Sir Edward Grey lamented as he surveyed the bleak streets.
"Do you think we will lose this war, my lord?" inquired his secretary from the front seat.
"Will we lose?" Sir Edward Grey was uncertain. Yet, he understood all too well that losing was not an option; the consequences would be catastrophic.
But almost immediately, Sir Edward Grey's gaze grew resolute. As a minister of the British Cabinet, his responsibility is to lead the nation to greater strength. Despite the formidable crisis facing the United Kingdom, he firmly believed they would weather this storm and emerge victorious in the end.
"We shall not lose! For centuries, the British Empire has faced numerous challenges. This confrontation with Germany is merely a minor obstacle in the grand history of our empire. We will surely overcome them! Victory shall belong to the British Empire, which will continue to lead the world!" Sir Edward Grey declared with conviction.
The secretary's expression mirrored this newfound determination. "Yes, my lord. We will defeat the Germans and win this war!"
Yet, after three months of war, the faith of many Britons has inevitably wavered. They are now acutely aware that the British Empire may not be as invincible as they once believed. Previously confident of an easy victory, reality has now delivered a harsh reprimand.
Fortunately, the resolve of the Cabinet remains steadfast, allowing Britain to continue its involvement in the conflict. However, as the situation grows increasingly dire, one must wonder how long these high-ranking officials can maintain their resolve.
Although Sir Edward Grey presented an air of confidence before his secretary, this was merely a façade.
His visit to the Prime Minister's residence was to discuss the pressing issue concerning Russia. The catastrophic losses of over a million men in the Russian Southwestern Front have effectively obliterated the core of the Russian army. Consequently, the threat to Germany and Austria-Hungary from the Eastern Front has diminished significantly. It is foreseen that the British and French forces on the Western Front will soon face intensified pressure—a grave concern for the British.
From Britain's perspective, there is a keen desire for Russia to persist in its war efforts, ideally deploying more troops to the Eastern Front to pose a greater threat to Germany.
Upon arriving at the Prime Minister's office, Sir Edward Grey found not only Prime Minister Asquith but also Army Minister Richard Haldane and Navy Minister Winston Churchill present.
After greeting them, Sir Edward took a seat at a random spot, as this was not a formal Cabinet meeting, and thus there were no strict seating arrangements.
"Now that everyone is here, let us commence," Prime Minister Asquith announced, surveying the room.
"Gentlemen, our Russian allies are encountering difficulties once again. Their army has just lost a million troops. Cumulatively, they have suffered two million casualties in this war—a staggering figure, particularly given that hostilities began only three months ago. This, however, brings forth a significant problem. With the loss of so many main forces, the Russians are now incapable of launching further offensives on the Eastern Front. Consequently, the Germans need not concern themselves with Eastern threats; they can redirect their primary forces to the Western Front. Soon, our troops there will likely face overwhelming pressure," Prime Minister Asquith stated.
"The loss of two million troops by the Russians within three months is indeed shocking. This is a significant blow to the entire Entente. We can foresee that the Germans will soon unleash a powerful offensive on the Western Front. To alleviate our burden, we must urge the Russians to continue their assaults in the East. While their losses are grave, they still possess a considerable number of soldiers. Though the loss of two million men is painful, it will not incapacitate them," Richard Haldane remarked.