**"Scoundrels! How utterly detestable and arrogant! Do the Germans truly believe we have already been vanquished? They have occupied all of Britain, and now they presume we must simply submit to their whims?" Prime Minister Asquith raged, his voice seething with fury.**
When the conditions proposed by the Germans reached Prime Minister Asquith, his aspirations for peace were extinguished entirely. To him, it was evident that the Germans harbored no sincerity whatsoever; they regarded Britain merely as a defeated nation to be exploited. Should they acquiesce to such terms, the British Empire would indeed face annihilation. No longer a world leader, Britain would be relegated to the status of a second-rate power, if not worse. Such terms were utterly unacceptable to Asquith.
"Your Excellency, the demands put forth by the Germans are indeed exceedingly harsh. Such conditions are beyond our capacity to accept. It is clear that the Germans harbor no intention of negotiating; they are fully confident in their military might, intending to defeat us outright," Sir Edward Grey said, his expression one of deep dismay. He sensed that the Germans had effectively closed the door on negotiations, likely intending to extract an even greater price from Britain. A loss in this conflict would spell utter ruin.
Asquith nodded solemnly. "From this moment forth, no one is to utter a word about negotiating with the Germans. We have no choice but to continue the war. Unless we can defeat the Germans in battle, or at least withstand their onslaught, the British Empire faces an uncertain future."
"Yes, Your Excellency," echoed the members of the Cabinet. Through their recent dealings with Germany, they had come to understand that relying on diplomacy to preserve the British Empire was no longer an option. Thus, they were left with but one path: war.
"Lord Churchill, the Royal Navy must prepare for a decisive confrontation with the Germans. If we achieve victory in this showdown, the crisis facing the British Empire may be averted. Should the Royal Navy falter, however, our homeland must brace itself for the threat of invasion," Asquith declared.
"Yes, Your Excellency," Churchill replied, acknowledging the weight of their task. He understood that the fate of the British Empire hinged on the Navy's ability to repel the German assault. He vowed to do everything in his power to secure victory, though he could not guarantee success against such a formidable foe.
"Minister of War, the army must now be fully mobilized. Not only must we maximize the strength of the expeditionary forces, but we also require adequate troops to defend our homeland. Should the Navy fail to repel the Germans, it will fall to the army to defend our shores," Asquith stated gravely.
He recognized that if the flames of war reached the British homeland, it would spell disaster for the nation and its people. Yet, with the Germans unwilling to engage in dialogue, they had no choice but to prepare for battle. The survival of Britain depended on their ability to withstand the German offensive; even if the war unfolded on their own soil, they had to resist, for failure would mean total annihilation.
"Yes, Your Excellency. The army is already planning a third wave of mobilization. When completed, the expeditionary forces will number one million, with an additional 1.5 million troops stationed at home. If time permits, we will initiate a fourth mobilization to further bolster our numbers," Minister Richard Haldane reported.
"Very well!" Asquith replied, satisfied. "However, beyond expanding the army's ranks, we must expedite the development of innovative weaponry. Before the German forces land on our soil, we need to devise advanced weaponry capable of countering their tanks. Failing to do so might render our homeland indefensible. The Germans have demonstrated their prowess with tanks on the Eastern Front, decimating the Russians. Intelligence indicates that they will deploy a considerable number of armored units on the Western Front; we must be prepared. I expect that when war reaches our shores, we will fight to the last, even turning our land to ashes, to vanquish the Germans!"
"Yes, Your Excellency. We have already commenced development on tanks used by the Germans. The munitions factory has produced prototypes, and once validated, we will proceed to mass production. Additionally, we are working on weapons capable of destroying their tanks. Research has shown that smaller-caliber cannons can be effectively utilized as anti-tank guns, inflicting substantial damage. If the German army dares to invade our homeland, we will ensure they pay dearly!" Richard Haldane declared with resolve.
For the British, should the Navy fail, the army would be their last line of defense. If the army could not withstand the German onslaught on home soil, Britain's destruction would become inevitable. No one desired to see the nation reach that fate. With even a glimmer of hope, they all wished for the continued existence of the British Empire.
"Excellent! I am confident that through our united efforts, the British Empire shall weather this storm and emerge victorious!" Asquith proclaimed.
Despite the dire circumstances, the spirit of determination remained unbroken among them, offering a flicker of hope for victory. Asquith's heart swelled with anticipation: "Perhaps God will bless the British Empire with triumph in this war!"
Afterward, Asquith made his way to Buckingham Palace to report the situation to King George V. While the king harbored deep concerns for the future of the British Empire, he expressed his unwavering support for Asquith and his government's resolve to fight. King George V declared that the royal family would do everything possible to support the government and the military. After all, should Britain fall, his reign would likewise come to an end.