"We're in a bad environment right now, and if we do something to Spain, will Japan take advantage of Hawaii?" Simpson looked at Roosevelt with some anxiety. Japan in this plane is not the same as in history, at this time the strength of the Japanese navy was much stronger than in history, in 1898 it could take out 4 10,000-ton warships, and the main fleet had a speed of more than 19 knots. Steadily held down the American cruiser fleet.

"The Far East is not only Japan, but also Spain. The Spanish sent two of their most elite armored cruisers, the Cologne and the Madrid, to the Far East. There is also the possibility of additional troops in the future. They seemed to perceive our plans, so they abandoned the West Indies, which was very close to us. And concentrating the main forces in the Far East, the Philippines, Dewey's fleet did not seem to be able to face such a formidable opponent. Especially in the case of a potential adversary. Simpson thought for a moment and added.

"It seems that we need to change the deployment of our fleet. Spain had dispersed their fleets to strengthen the Far East's defenses, and we had to make changes to strengthen the Far East Fleet, at least to defeat Spain and deter the Japanese. Roosevelt thought for a moment and said.

"Then this is probably quite large, and we have no suitable ports in the Far East, and we can only maintain a small fleet in Samoyed. For the most part, the Far East Fleet is home to Hong Kong, and if we move more capital ships, logistical supply and support will be a problem. Simpson raised his concerns.

"But it's a must, isn't it?" Roosevelt shook his head and said. "Because it was a must, we didn't have a choice. In that case, let's try to do it. The acquisition of the West Indies is only a secondary goal for us, and the Philippines is more important than Cuba, which is our springboard to the Far East. It is the guarantee for us to enter the Qingguo market. ”

"The two armored cruisers USS Brooklyn and the USS New York are going, and there are also two Columbia-class defensive cruisers, although their firepower is very weak, but their endurance is very high, and the fuel they carry is enough for combat use, which can greatly reduce the logistical pressure. Plus Dewey's flagship Olympia. We have 5 warships of more than 5,000 tons. ”

"But that's not enough, we should send another battleship, the new battleship Iowa is good, he is the most elite battleship in our fleet, and has a high speed, the maximum speed of 17 knots is a little slower than the cruiser, but it is barely enough." Roosevelt thought for a moment and added.

"That's a bit of a big change. It would be difficult for 6 large warships to rely on the British for supplies, plus other warships. If you want to fill the coal bunkers of all the battleships, I am afraid that you will need more than 10,000 tons of coal! And this coal must also be high-quality coal, otherwise the coal ash in wartime will be a very troublesome thing. Simpson's face changed slightly.

"This scared the hell? If it weren't for the fact that the number of battleships in our hands was too small, I would have sent 2 more, and now 6 battleships can only be evenly matched at most, and we have a slight disadvantage. After our engagement with the Spanish fleet, the gap with the Japanese fleet may be even greater, so I propose to add two more 4000-ton protective cruisers. Roosevelt said with a smile.

"It's logistically stressful, and it's hard to do it even if the British help us. I don't agree with this plan. "If it starts Simpsons just hesitated. And when Roosevelt proposed a plan to further expand the Far Eastern Fleet, he was clearly opposed.

"If we can't even sustain this strength in the Far East. Then don't talk about the occupation of the Philippines, you don't think that our enemy in the Far East is only one Spain, right? Roosevelt sneered. Let the USS Philadelphia and the USS San Francisco go. The two 4000-ton cruisers had 12 6-inch guns. Although the protection is a little worse, the firepower is also fierce, in this case, we have 8 warships of more than 4,000 tons in the Far East, and if we are lucky, we can deter Japan. ”

"That's what you mean?" Simpson asked.

"It should be said that we mean, me and the people behind me, the organization, etc. The outbreak of war was irreversible. And the sooner the better, the longer it drags on, the lower our odds will be. The Spaniards also began to expand their army. Roosevelt said.

"So do you think the Japanese dare to do it?" Simpson said with some concern.

"I don't think they dare, we have a good relationship with the British, and from historical experience. The intimidation of the Japanese is also useful for weak countries, we have won several confrontations in Hawaii, and now Japan and Russia have become enemies, and Russia has France and Germany behind it, and the Japanese should not make extraneous branches at this time. Roosevelt pondered for a moment before saying carefully.

"I always feel like you're not telling the truth." Lieutenant General Simpson said. "If you thought that Japan would not have dared to make such a major adjustment to the navy, you are actually ready for battle, aren't you?"

"If I'm really ready for battle, then I'll concentrate my fleet in Hawaii and wait until we've solved the problem of the West Indies before heading to the Far East!" Roosevelt's expression changed slightly.

"But in the Far East we cannot support our entire fleet. We don't even know how long a battleship formation will have to sail from the East coast to the Far East. I think our only chance of winning is to create the established fact that when we declare war on Spain, we will occupy the Philippines immediately, preferably before the two Japanese warships return home! Simpson said.

"This can't be. It was too hasty, and the time was first in the first half of 1898. The Iowa has just been commissioned, and it will take at least half a year or so to consider other preparations and unify the opinions of Congress when the crew is familiar with the battleship to form combat effectiveness, and then deploy to the Far East. Roosevelt shook his head and said. Let's look at the attitude of the British, if Britain is willing to restrain Japan, we can avoid this conflict. ”

"That's the only way to do it. Hopefully, the British will see the situation clearly. Simpson said with a sigh. Also, what did the Bavarian prince say to you when you returned? ”

"That's right," he said, sooner or later we will regret it for helping Japan buy a ship, and I regret it now, who would have thought that this year the two sides would clash in Hawaii! I just hope this one that I regret ends here. Roosevelt said with a sigh.

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