The meaning of William, the Secretary of State for War's words, is also quite simple, namely to remind the Prime Minister that the current British army is incapable of intervening in this war breaking out on the European Continent, and the British Government should consider its own position and capability before making decisions.
Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil nodded silently, clearly aware of Britain's deficiencies in regard to its army.
It cannot exactly be called a deficiency; after all, Britain is an island nation detached from the European Continent. As long as the North Sea and the English Channel are secured, no country can threaten the British mainland.
This is also why Britain focuses only on building its Navy, somewhat neglecting its Army. After all, if enemies can't even reach the homeland, what is the point of maintaining a large standing army? It would only increase defense spending unnecessarily.
