The impending crisis of war between America and Germany was so effortlessly averted that it left the nations of the world in stunned disbelief. This was particularly true for the British, who had harbored high hopes for America, only to find themselves profoundly disappointed. They had anticipated an escalation of hostilities between Germany and the United States, which would, in turn, alleviate the pressure on Britain.
Some within the Royal Navy even believed that a joint operation between the British and American fleets could potentially lead to the defeat of the German Navy. While it was undeniable that the German Navy possessed superior capabilities, in a fair contest, the Royal Navy could not hope to match them. Yet, with a significant numerical advantage, they might still have a fighting chance.
Alas, the Americans ultimately retreated. Faced with the formidable might of the German Navy, they were consumed by fear of defeat and chose to withdraw. This decision rendered Britain's situation even more dire.
The cessation of American incursions into the German-declared no-go zones signified their tacit acceptance of German actions. If the Americans were willing to acquiesce, what alternative could other nations possibly entertain? It was evident that Britain's overseas trade would soon come to a halt. Unless the British were willing to suffer immense losses by deploying their merchant fleet to continue transporting vital supplies, they would find themselves utterly deprived. The implications of this scenario were grim.
For Germany, defeating Britain would become alarmingly straightforward. They could achieve victory merely by laying siege to the island nation, which would likely crumble under the strain.
Prime Minister Asquith was in a state of deep despondency in recent days. The current crisis posed a severe threat to Britain, and he feared that the British Empire might not withstand this challenge. No one had anticipated the sheer ferocity of the German military, which had forced the once-mighty British Empire into such a precarious position within a mere six months of conflict.
In light of the escalating situation, King George V summoned Prime Minister Asquith to inquire about the state of affairs. Throughout their conversation, the king exhibited a palpable pessimism regarding the ongoing conflict. It was evident that the newly crowned monarch had lost faith in the possibility of defeating Germany.
Despite Asquith's persistent reassurances that the British Empire had not yet reached its breaking point and still possessed the strength to continue the fight, the king appeared unconvinced. Even Asquith himself felt that his reassurances lacked substance.
Upon returning from Buckingham Palace, Asquith convened a cabinet meeting without delay.
"Gentlemen, what course of action shall we pursue? The Americans have retreated, and any hope of their joining the war to aid us against Germany is now dashed. What are our next steps?" Asquith inquired.
"Prime Minister, it is almost beyond belief. The Germans have seized numerous American merchant vessels and even killed many American civilians, yet the Americans dare not raise a finger. Their dispatch of a fleet was mere posturing before they fled back home. Can they still be considered a great power?" Sir Edward Grey, the Foreign Secretary, shook his head in resignation, evidently disillusioned with the American government's inaction.
"Ultimately, the Americans have not engaged in significant warfare; their industrial might is formidable, but their military strength is woefully inadequate. It is entirely understandable that they retreated in the face of German threats," remarked Winston Churchill, the Minister of the Navy.
"Could it be that our failure to inform them of the full strength of the German fleet was what frightened them?" inquired Chancellor Lloyd George.
"Certainly not. Even without our disclosure, their own intelligence capabilities would have revealed the truth before long. At that point, they might even have blamed us for not informing them, which could jeopardize any potential cooperation. It is simply disheartening to witness such cowardice from the Americans," Churchill responded, his expression betraying his frustration.
In Churchill's view, America was the only nation capable of assisting them out of their predicament. With their withdrawal, it became clear that they had lost any external support. The burden of confronting Germany would now rest solely on their shoulders, and their own resources were alarmingly inadequate.
"Gentlemen, the Americans have retreated. There is little point in further discussion on this matter. The critical question now is: what shall we do?" Asquith reiterated.
Indeed, the question before them was pressing: what steps should they take next? The ministers present were all astute, having risen to their positions through acumen and capability. The situation confronting the British Empire was undeniably bleak. While they did not face total despair, they had to concede that the odds of success were exceedingly slim.
"Mr. Churchill, without American assistance, does the Royal Navy stand no chance of defeating the Germans?" Asquith asked.
All eyes turned to Churchill, for the Royal Navy had long been the cornerstone of the British Empire. The empire's dominance rested heavily on the strength of its naval forces; without them, it would be as rootless as a tree without soil.
"Prime Minister, given the current capabilities of the Royal Navy, it would be exceedingly difficult to defeat the Germans. We possess a total of 26 battleships, two more than the Germans. However, we have only six battlecruisers, six fewer than they do. More critically, our modern warships are vastly outnumbered and cannot compare with their German counterparts. I believe everyone is well aware of the superiority of German naval technology. I must candidly convey that unless the Germans commit an egregious blunder in naval engagements or if fortune smiles upon us, our chances of victory are virtually nonexistent," Churchill stated.
His words fell like a bucket of ice water on the assembled cabinet ministers, leaving them chilled to the bone. They understood Churchill's implication: the Royal Navy had nearly no chance of success. This revelation was a devastating blow, heralding what could potentially be the greatest existential crisis faced by the British Empire in centuries.