Could the Ottomans receive their ships and begin the war as benevolent neutrals toward Britain?
Short answerDelivery would remain unlikely while Britain distrusted the Ottoman government; friendlier neutrality is proposed without a firm prediction.
NotesBritain would remain reluctant to release major naval equipment to a government it did not fully trust at the outbreak of war. Friendlier Ottoman neutrality remains a possibility, with no firm prediction of its effect on delivery. A different Admiralty structure therefore offers no assurance that the ships would be released.