1914 Germany stands defencive in the West

Yes which is the most fundamental sticking point of them all. I think, in fact I am pretty sure at least one German writer had recommended Germany explore preparations for such a conflict early in the 1900s but I would need to read back to check.

He certainly found himself in a minuscule minority though so essentially you are correct.

The funny thing is everyone felt it in their bones that it will be long war and will shake the foundations of civilization. Yet no one was able to vocalize this or so much admit this, even to oneself.
 

elkarlo

Banned
But the problem was that it was the anti-German clique that responded, not the government as a whole; its unlikely they would be able to leverage parliament to war without convincing the Germans that British entry was inevitable, thus causing them to attack aggressively and create the political conditions for British entry. Without those conditions whatever the sentiments of Grey and Asquith that isn't necessarily going to extend to everyone in the government, at least not enough to ensure a DoW. Plus the public wouldn't support it either. Even if they go through with their threat to topple the government and try to caucus with the Tories to get their DoW that was probably an idle threat without Belgium.

Churchill was ready though. His ships in the Med were under orders to attack any KM ships going French transports from NA. Guy was working on getting a DoW by any means
 
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