The issue of funding is actually easy to resolve.
Shire just needs to create a bit of anxiety in Parliament.
He spent a night at the City Defense Headquarters, and early the next morning, at Clemenceau's "invitation," he accepted a parliamentary inquiry.
"Gentlemen, let us welcome France's greatest general, Admiral Shire!"
Shire walked up to the podium amid enthusiastic applause.
Then, Clemenceau slowly unfolded Shire's "conspiracy" in a questioning manner.
"Admiral," Clemenceau asked, "I've heard your intelligence personnel have discovered that the Germans are developing a secret weapon, is this true?"
"Yes, of course," Shire answered.
"Can you tell us what this equipment is?" Clemenceau continued.
"Tank," Shire answered bluntly.
The parliamentarians did not seem nervous about this, with someone loudly asserting:
"We have the most advanced tank, Admiral."
"Yes, your 'Shire B1', it gave the Germans a hard time in the Battle of Metz."
