On the subject of the defence of the realm and the Military, Lord Edmund Steiner of Warwickshire.
Lord Speaker, My Lords, as we all know the Realm is weakened and vulnerable. Many millions of our people lie dead and many more still suffer the horrors of the recent conflict without homes, adequate housing, jobs or the bare essentials like food and access to medicine. This, alas, is likely to be the state of affairs for many more years to come and while we take the chance to recover, rebuild and remember we must be aware that we are not the strength we once were, true enough in time we may very well become stronger, but for now at least we are weaker.
Thus I must express my surprise at the most recent announcement made by the Admiralty board on the 26th of this month regarding the Orkney system which not only states that a 'peacekeeping mission' will be sent into the Orkney system but also states the delivery of an ultimatum. My Lords, I do not believe this to be a mistake on the part of the First Sea Lord but an intentional statement. The question I must ask is; when did the military have the authority to issue ultimatums without deference to the Government and Her Majesty? Furthermore an expedition of any significant strength advancing into the Taus would not only be a outrageously expensive endeavor, an endeavor we cannot afford but a dangerous one at that. Need I remind the House of the disaster that happened in the Vespucci system?
What concerns me is that the First Sea Lord has decided, perhaps against better judgment, to deploy a large number of troops to a far flung region of the Taus where we possess little influence for a goal that seems hardly worth the effort and all the while leaving Bretonia without sorely needed men and materials. This does not even take into account the possible Gallic reaction, a military expedition so close to their borders will not go unnoticed and perhaps more worryingly, unanswered. We cannot afford another conflict, saber-rattling and arbitrary deployments are the stuff of poem and song, but they will have very real consequences. I therefore propose that this House issues an immediate rescinding of the recent admiralty order and a review of First Sea Lord Sommerville's actions be undertaken.
In response to the proposal by Lord Edmund Steiner of Warwickshire, Baron Firmus Piett, Lord of Jarrow.
Lord Speaker, My Lords, as you are aware many representatives of various organizations and factions considered Bretonia vulnerable and weak since the time of the war with the Kusari. It was proven that we are not as weak as we were thought to be. The same applies to the period of the war with Gallia. And then "we were weak" but alas thanks to the efforts, strength and perseverance of our army and navy as well as our allies - we managed and survived this terrible period as well. Lord Steiner - Bretonia is not weak. Bretonia is badly injured. Nevertheless, our people strive for prosperity and do their best with the confidence that one day we will not be seen as "weak and vulnerable" as we have always been thought of, but as a strong and united nation that will fight with teeth and claws against anyone who dares attack us!
We were wounded during one war. We were sliced many times during the second one as well - we are bleeding. Are we either going to heal and move on or are we going to be constantly wounded? Here comes the contradiction to logic - The lion fights even when he is wounded - because he has to protect his territory. What if all the hyenas smelled the blood and noticed the absence of the "lion"? The two horrific wars we fought for so many years taught our forces to be extremely good at hit-and-run tactics. Our ships are built for this purpose, to hit hard and be able to hold their own while retreating. We must not cease to smite those who are still against us - we must continually, whenever we have the opportunity - to do so. And our fleets, by the actions of Lord Somerville, prove to do just that. When our enemies see us doing nothing - this will strengthen their thesis that we are unable to defend ourselves. When times come when our fleets focus in certain region or regions - such actions will expose us as strong...even if we use a slight flavor of bluff. Sometimes the result can be surprising.
In view of what I have said so far - I would not support this House issuing an immediate reversal of the recent Admiralty order. As a former Fleet Admiral of the Armed Forces, I can see clearly the purpose behind the actions of the First Sea Lord Somerville. Bretonia must continue to maintain its borders, including not allowing forces to build up on or near them at all costs. I suggest for the time being we keep a close eye on the situation in Orkney as well as the actions of our armed forces. But at the moment, I don't think anything needs to be done. I am convinced the fleet admiral would never do an act without her majesty's consent.
Lord Speaker, as my Noble friend is no doubt aware, the bleeding lion chooses his battles carefully, perhaps less inclined to do battle with foes he would struggle to defeat when healthy. Admiral Somerville, for he is not yet a Lord I may add, maintains the position of aggressive diplomacy which is out of touch with the reality of our situation. To pretend we are strong, or at least the strength we were is equally ignorant of all presentable facts. Not only do Corsair raiders push deeper into our territory but the mollies as well threaten our hold over the Dublin system, more importantly is the loss of Leeds, the vast majority of the manufacturing might of his House is gone. Gone, Lord Speaker, not damaged, not temporarily indisposed, but gone, forever. Sprauge will take years, decades even to come close to matching Leeds and all the while Liberty and Bretonia have entered into a period of cold silence, Rheinland is more concerned with her own borders and now I hear of military expeditions into the Taus without so much as a whisper of a warning. Our list of allies grows thin.
As my Noble friend states, Bretonia must protect its borders, Orkney is not, nor ever has been, within our borders and can be barely described as a border world, now that the arrangements with Kusari have functionally placed the end of Bretonian jurisdiction at the Tau-31 gate in the Leeds system. Furthermore, spirit alone was never and has never been the sole reason for military victory, while our lads gave their all on battlefields across the Omegas, Taus, all throughout the Borderworlds and here over the skies of New London it was our allies on Manhattan that provided not only money, materials, medical aid and logistical support but men and women to fight as well. Where are they now? What support can Bretonia muster for this show of force in Orkney? What happens if Gallia does respond, in force? What aid can we send? If a battle broke out will it be spirit alone that wins the day? Or will it be better logistics and planning? Better numbers and a secure supply chain? None of these can we guarantee. Director Steiner informs me that there have been frequent reports of unusual Order activity within the region as well as Auxesian and Gallic patrols. Yet Somerville deems it not only ideal, but necessary to send in a battle group? Has no one thought of the possible consequences? Why was the SIS not contacted to provide even the smallest bit of reconnaissance? None of this makes sense and it certainly does not bear the hallmarks of a successful operation.
Lord Jarrow states that as a former Fleet Admiral he can see the reasoning behind Somervilles actions, as a former Fleet Admiral myself, I see no reasoning at all beyond a shot at personal glory?. Bretonia requires time to rebuild, deploying fleets away from Bretonia cuts short that time, it provokes and unsettles our neighbours, it does nothing to benefit those at home. Yet again, I must insist on asking why the Government was not informed prior to this operation? Was the M.O.D consulted? The Prime Minister? None of these answers are clear, which is why I must raise the issue to the House.
Clarification on previous statement, Baron Firmus Piet, Lord of Jarrow
Lord Speaker, I would like to add clarification to my early statement. Lord Steiner, you are right to support the view that Bretonnia should not pursue an aggressive policy at this very moment of recovery after the severe wars - I also agree with your point . You are also right that our old enemies Molly and Corsairs are taking advantage of our situation and attacking us many times more than before. But if we focus solely on our internal problems, we will return to a status close to the one we had before our war with the Kusari. Our fleets were then in complete integrity, and so were our troops. However, we suffered huge losses due to other reasons not subject of this debate. We have always been on the defensive and this demotivates our military, making them lazy. It's one thing to wait to be attacked and prepare while the bombs are falling, it's another to be fully prepared and attack - I'm sure you, as former fleet admiral, would understand this perfectly well. Conducting military operations of a different nature not only presents us as more prepared, but also increases the morale of our military.
Regarding your statement about the Orkney system - officially it is not part of our borders for the reason that Edinburgh is no longer our territory in general. Our presence there in the face of Perth Station is not enough - but it exists. Losing sovereignty over Edinburgh drives us away from the Orkney, but so long as we have a representation there, even if just a lone station—we must not allow enemy ships of war to congregate within arm's reach. Based on the terrorist acts committed by House Gallia, they should not be allowed to build new bases near us - no matter what they imply. If they have complaints or reproach us, why do we think so - we can take them on holiday to Leeds to see the beautiful landscapes they created, point at the ghost planet and tell them - This is why! Gallia should never be near us even two systems from Leeds! This operation in Orkney should be considered by them as a reminder to return to their own space instead to allow them to expand peacefully further and further. If we do nothing against such expansion by any faction in general, we would end up surrounded. Then - even if our internal affairs with the moles and corsairs did not exist we would be in an extremely disadvantageous situation.
Lord Steiner, I've served in the armed forces my whole life and I've witnessed more than dozen fleet admirals - I' respected their judgement and opinion while leading our forces. I was not part of our navy during your service but with no doubt I would give your point of view as much respect as i've given to all those before us. As I said earlier I can see the reasons that pushed the Fleet Admiral Somerville to carry out the actions and this Orkney operation in general. I myself would be more at ease knowing that Gallia is far from us, instead of massing a fleet so close to our House - as long as Edinburgh has our presence - yes, they are close to our borders! Whether the Foreign Office wants to maintain relations with Gallia, being for commercial purposes or otherwise, is not a subject of discussion at this time.