Chapter 265: Secret Support (Asking for a Monthly Pass)
"Your Excellency, isolationism is now rife in the country, and if we were to get directly involved in the war, I am afraid that it would cause strong opposition from the people. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info So, getting involved in the war now, is not a good idea. Vice President Marshall said.
"Your Excellency, I also believe that we should wait until the situation becomes clearer before deciding whether or not to join the war, or which side to join." Secretary of the Navy Daniels also said.
"Gentlemen, what should we do with the request of the British?" President Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, if the British want to hire our merchant ships, buy our war materials, and lend us money, we can agree to them. In this way, we can further stimulate the development of our economy. At the same time, it was possible to strengthen the British. The Germans broke the engagement, and indeed they were about to hang the British. The UK mainland is small and heavily dependent on sea transport. Once the sea lines were completely cut off by the Germans, they would be completely finished. Commerce Secretary Redfield said.
"It would be best if the Germans could not win this war. Before the outbreak of the war, a large amount of German capital entered South America and competed with us for South America. Once the Germans won the war, they would probably be even more unscrupulous. At that point, we will most likely lose South America. I don't think anyone wants that to happen. Redfield continued.
The faces of the high-ranking US cabinet officials present suddenly became serious.
The US Government has always regarded the Americas as its own backyard and will never allow other countries to meddle in the Americas. The previous competition between the United States and Germany in South America has aroused the vigilance of the US government. If Germany had really won the war, they would have accelerated their struggle for South America. When the time comes, Germany will become the world hegemon, will the United States still be able to hold South America?
"Your Excellency the President, we secretly support the British, let the British and the Germans fight! It's better if they can fight both sides, and in that case, it's good for us. Secretary Garrison said.
"But if we do this, will we anger the Germans?" Vice President Marshall was a little worried.
"The United States, as a neutral country, did not participate in the war, and there was only normal trade between us and the British. The Germans can't forbid us to trade with the British, can they? The military strength of the United States of America, although not very strong, was definitely not something that the Germans could arbitrarily humiliate. Secretary Bryan said.
President Wilson thought about it for a moment, then nodded: "You can agree to the request of the British, let them hire our merchant ships to transport supplies for them." It is also possible to sell war materials to them, but the price must go up. As for loans, they can also be provided to them. However, the British must have collateral to do so. Like gold, or their colonies! ”
The United States practices mercantilism, and the senior officials of these governments are undoubtedly very clear about the way of business. Now that the British have a request for them, then of course they will take the opportunity to open their mouths and make a lot of money on the British. You must know that the United States is the world's largest debtor country that owes a lot of foreign debts, and whether or not it can pay off all those debts depends on how much war money it can make in this war.
Britain has been the hegemon for hundreds of years, and the wealth it has accumulated is undoubtedly very staggering. It would certainly be great if the United States could take that wealth from the British. In addition, the United States is also salivating over Britain's huge colonies. The United States rose too late, and like the Germans, when they successfully rose and wanted to participate in the partition of the world, they found that the world had already been carved up too late. So, they just got some scraps. Now, it is undoubtedly a good opportunity for them to take advantage of the fire.
"Yes, Your Excellency." Secretary Bryan nodded, he already understood exactly what President Wilson meant.
"But on the Germans' side, we can't make enemies with them. If the war situation develops, it will be very beneficial to the Germans. Even if the Germans were destined to win the war, we would be even less able to make enemies of the Germans. The United States of America will always be on the side of the victors. President Wilson said.
Americans can't be blamed for the reality, and there is no way around it. If you are on the wrong side and on the side of the loser, even the United States will inevitably suffer heavy losses.
"Yes, Your Excellency." The other cabinet ministers nodded their heads.
"Gentlemen, the development of this war has exceeded our expectations. The strength of the Germans was surprisingly strong. So, there are not many opportunities for us to choose. Next, we have to be more cautious. Every decision you make has to be more careful, and it has a direct bearing on the future of the American Republic. President Wilson said.
"Your Excellency the President, I believe that in the current situation, it is necessary for us to strengthen our army. The army is just that, and no country has the ability to cross the ocean and attack the United States mainland. Our navy must be further strengthened. Ten dreadnoughts, and four battleships under construction, were too few to compare with Britain and Germany. So, we need to have a stronger navy. Otherwise, this will make our voice in the future international community weaker and weaker. Vice President Marshall said.
"Well, the strength of the navy should indeed be further strengthened." President Wilson nodded.
"Secretary Daniels, the Navy submits a new warship construction plan as soon as possible, the Navy of the American Republic must be among the best in the world, and other countries that want to provoke the American Republic must also think about it." President Wilson said.
Once Germany won the war, Germany would be even more difficult to deal with than Britain. Britain was not strong in land forces, except for its strong navy. But Germany is different, and the German army has long been the first in the world. If Germany's navy also becomes the best in the world, then there is no country in the world that can compete with its military strength. If the United States wants to secure its own interests, it must further strengthen its military strength.
"Yes, Your Excellency." Minister Daniels nodded.