Chapter 460： balance (1/2)
The Russians have a huge equipment gap and there is pressure to change. What about the Japanese? The same is true! The current Japan's industrial capacity is far inferior to Russia. The Russo-Japanese War is only a regional war for Russia, and it is a national war for Japan. Either you die or I die! Although the current situation in Japan is better than in the same period in history, after the prince passed through and released a lot of ”new technology” in advance, the pressure of the Japanese to dress up is quite high.
And what is different from history is that the British are still dying with the Boers at this time. The Boer War, which is about to be put down in history, is still in full swing on this plane! The Boers still fend off the enemy outside the country, and even sent cavalry to the outskirts of Johannesburg several times. The whole of South Africa is now flourishing! This also means that it is impossible for the United Kingdom to provide arms to the Japanese, even if it is rich!
The Japanese industrial problems are even greater. After the establishment of the Yawata Iron Works in 1901, Japan’s steel self-sufficiency rate was only 53% for pig iron and 83% for steel. Cannon steel still needs to be imported. Try it, the annual steel output of Yawata Iron Works in 1904 was only 103,000 tons. The output in 1905 was 129,000 tons, and the production capacity of all other small factories together was only 70,000 tons. A total of 200,000 tons, and Japan imported another 200,000 tons of steel to meet the needs of the war!
”In the temple, the empire has given the army up to 30 million yen in funding. You can buy weapons according to your needs. Why do you want to come to me? You know? Yamamoto has been here for three consecutive days to criticize I'm unfair.” Kataro smiled wryly.
Another important reason why Japan can have such ample funds is that there has been no invasion of the Eight-Power Allied Forces on this plane. In history, the Japanese spent 44 million yen in war expenses for this war. Now this war The fee is used to buy weapons!
”I was troubled for the first time because I couldn't spend money. Just yesterday, the Imperial Ambassador to the United Kingdom Shuzo Aoki just called back saying that the British government can meet our ship purchase requirements, but the army's orders cannot be met. The French will not. Selling weapons to us, the Americans do the same. And the Germans? The Krupp factory is replacing the Prussian army with new rapid-fire guns. On the Bavarian side, the regular channels cannot be imported.” said Masaichi Teruchi.
”We can expand our production capacity and produce Trinity Mountain Cannons. Your army is rich. If we expand production capacity, it should be able to meet part of the needs?” said Kataro.
”The Trinity Hill Cannon has a range of only 4,600 meters. The new type of rapid-fire gun has a range of not 5,500 meters. Moreover, the rate of fire is only 4 to 5 rounds per minute, and the weight of the shells is only 5KG. The Russian 1900 type 3 The 7-inch artillery can shoot a 7KG grenade up to 6,400 meters at a rate of fire of 8 attacks! To tell the truth, the Army is very dissatisfied with the artillery produced in the country, and if the war is to break out in 1904, domestically produced is still not enough. There is a gap in our demand!” said Masaichi Temple.
”Since neither external procurement nor internal ordering can solve the problem, what use is it for you to come to me? Or, you have found a way and need to obtain a license from me?” The scheming Katsutaro said with some deep meaning.
”There are some doorways, but they are not formal channels, and there are some risks.” Masaichi Temple thought for a while and said. He also considered it for a long time before deciding to talk to the Prime Minister.
”Really? Speak up and have a look.” Kataro frowned slightly, and then decided to listen first.