Chapter 319: Chapter 281: Saint Vincent Class Battleship

Arthur’s talent recruitment campaign went on for four days. Apart from Alexander Fleming and his mentor Dr. Wright, Arthur also personally visited prominent physics and chemistry talents such as Moseley, Joseph Thomson, William Henry Bragg, William Lawrence Bragg, and Charles Gruff Buckley. In addition to those he visited personally, Arthur’s recruitment list included over a hundred physicists, chemists, men of letters, historians, novelists, artists, composers, scientists, and medical experts, totaling 204 people.

With the efforts of Arthur and Chief David in just four days, 115 people have already agreed to go to Australilarasia.

Meanwhile, nearly 70 more people are noticeably wavering and require a few more days for consideration.

Out of the 204 people, only about 20 are unwilling to leave the British Empire. Arthur has no solution for this, as there are always true patriots in every country.

If all goes well, Australilarasia could gain over 100 talents from the 204, which would be a significant addition to the high-end talent pool in Australilarasia.

It’s somewhat regrettable that Arthur’s talent recruitment for the military industry has not been as successful.

However, this is understandable. After all, as the 20th century enters its second decade, the contradictions and competition between the two major European military blocs become increasingly intense, and the European nations’ control and emphasis on military talents are growing.

Under such conditions, it is basically impossible for Arthur to attract many military talents using the same funds and benefits as he does for other fields.

On June 25, 1910, a piece of exhilarating news for Britain and Australilarasia was jointly announced by the British and Australasian Governments.

After lengthy friendly consultations between the British government and Australilarasia, both parties decided to maintain the aid treaty signed at the time, and based on the treaty signed ten years ago, to strengthen some clauses and add many new supports.

Regarding aid, the British government agreed to give more assistance to the Australasian government, estimated at no more than 10 million pounds annually, but at least more than seven million pounds.

The aid areas include military industry, general industry, machinery, and various other fields. Arthur is very interested in France’s submarine technology, which has also been included in the aid treaty.

Of course, Australilarasia will not receive these benefits for nothing. Britain and Australilarasia have signed a peace treaty; ports in Australian Timor and the New Zealand region are open to the British Empire, allowing British warships and merchant ships to dock as transit ports and supply bases for the British Empire.

Arthur has no problem with this, as there is no reason for him to refuse such requests with the good relations between Australilarasia and Britain. The docking of these merchant ships could also stimulate local port consumption, and Arthur is not worried about the safety of these ports after opening them to Britain.

As long as Australilarasia and Britain do not openly confront each other, there is no reason for Britain to take the initiative to attack Australilarasia.

Australilarasia also reached a further trade agreement with Britain. Australilarasia will officially become Britain’s primary source of imported grain and meat.

Arthur does not need to worry that the large increase in food and meat production in Australilarasia will fall into a slump, as the British Empire will act as a safety net and the consumption during the future war will form a double guarantee.

Of course, this trade treaty is not limited to just grain and meat exports from Australilarasia to Britain. It also covers British exports to Australilarasia, including various medical supplies, machinery, more advanced systems, and various talents.

If the British government’s attitude towards Australilarasia’s talent recruitment during Edward VII’s reign was to turn a blind eye and remain neutral, not supporting or opposing it, then during the reign of King George V, at least before World War I, the British government supported Australilarasia’s talent recruitment.

This is of great help to Australilarasia’s talent recruitment in Britain, and the number of British immigrants should also see a temporary increase.

King George V of Britain and Arthur are of the same generation, with George being Arthur’s cousin.

However, like William II, George V is already 45 years old, a full cycle older than Arthur.

This also means that George V and Arthur do not actually have many topics in common, but this does not prevent them from pretending to be very close brothers in public, even closer than their actual blood relations.

For Arthur, it is necessary to maintain good relations with Britain, as the most likely winners currently seem to be the Allies.

It must be remembered that the Allies historically managed to win even after Russia withdrew halfway through the conflict.

Currently, though still harboring domestic risks, Russia’s situation is much better than in history.

Russia still holds most of the interests in the Far East and is the absolute ruler in the region. The island nation, which was supposed to have risen after the Russo-Japanese War, stagnated due to only gaining interests in the Korean Peninsula at that time and has now become the weakest power.