United States, Washington, White House, Office of the President. At the moment, the office is filled with smoke, like a fairyland. However, there is a choking smell of tobacco in the air, and people who don't smoke will definitely not be able to stay inside.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of the Treasury William Gibbs McAdoo, Secretary of War Lindley M. Garrison, Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, and others gathered here. They all had a multi-page report in their hands and cigars in their mouths.

It's just that the expressions on the faces of these high-ranking US government officials are very solemn. It's all about the reports they have. This is a report from the Far East Fleet of the US Navy. Although the home port of the Far East Fleet is in Manila, the entire Far East Fleet only has about a dozen old warships, large and small, and there are many main forces of the US Navy. However, when the Chinese and Japanese navies were engaged in a decisive battle, the US Navy's Far East Fleet still sent some warships to observe it. The performance of the Chinese Navy in the battle shocked the US Navy. Immediately after the battle, the commander of the Far East Fleet of the US Navy sent a long telegram home.

"Ladies and gentlemen, have you read all the telegrams in your hands, what do you think?" President Wilson asked.

"Your Excellency, I have to admit that we have always underestimated the Chinese Navy. In the duel with the Japanese Navy, they were able to easily defeat Japan, and none of their capital ships were sunk, which undoubtedly showed their strong strength. If the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Navy had gone to war, even if we could win, we would never have won so easily. It can be seen that in terms of the current capabilities of the US Navy, it is estimated that it will not be able to compete with the Chinese Navy. Secretary of the Navy Daniels said.

"Your Excellency Daniels. Are you kidding? The United States of America is already the most industrially powerful country in the world. And the yellow-skinned monkeys on the other side of the ocean have just begun to industrialize. Isn't our navy, armed with powerful industry, inferior to those yellow-skinned monkeys? Treasury Minister McAdoo looked surprised, and seemed a little unable to accept the result.

"Your Excellency McAdoo, China's industry is backward and cannot be compared with that of the United States. But. Their military industry is well developed. The shipbuilding industry is developing rapidly. This is mainly because of the support of the Germans for the Chinese. Now the Chinese have been able to build powerful warships with a displacement of more than 35,000 tons on their own. For example, the 'Five Emperor-class' battleships that the Chinese are now working on are powerful battleships equipped with 381-mm main guns. Even, rumor has it that the Chinese are secretly waging a war on their own plans for powerful battleships with 410-mm guns. And the US Navy is already lagging behind the Chinese in this regard. In addition, in terms of actual combat experience, the US Navy cannot be compared with the Chinese Navy. The Chinese Navy has repeatedly engaged the Japanese Navy and has won. its combat strength and the quality of its officers and men. Absolutely world-class. On the other hand, the U.S. Navy, apart from the Spanish-American War, has no room for us to play at all. Those veterans who experienced actual combat back then have long since retired. Moreover, the tactics of that time were no longer completely suitable for the tactics of today. If the U.S. Navy were to go to war with the Chinese Navy with its current strength, I think it would definitely be the U.S. that would lose. "Minister Daniels seems to be a little pessimistic.

"Your Excellency Daniels. You seem too pessimistic, don't you? Chinese, how can they defeat us? Secretary of War Garrison also disagrees with this view. After all. Modern warfare does not rely on one branch of the military.

Minister Daniels nodded: "Of course, if war really breaks out between the two sides, the United States will definitely win in the end." We can build more warships to fight the Chinese with strong industry. And the Chinese cannot compare with us in industry, and they do not have so much financial resources to fight with us. Plus the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese cannot threaten our homeland. However, in the early days of the war, we will definitely face defeat, and even pay a heavy price. For example, the Philippine colony. It must be untenable. ”

"His Excellency Daniels' apprehension is right and understandable. The powerful United States is indeed facing a great threat now. I have reflected on more than one occasion whether our strategy of supporting China to contain Japan was the right one. However, there is no point in talking about that now. What we need to do is how to deal with the threat of the Chinese. President Wilson said.

Then President Wilson looked at the crowd and said, "Gentlemen, it seems that we need to invest more in the Navy. We need to build more warships to defend our security and overseas interests. Do you have any objections to this? ”

Everyone shook their heads, the United States now has a lot of money, and it is not a big deal to increase investment in the navy and build more warships.

"Well, I'll find a way to convince Congress to agree to funding the Navy." President Wilson said.

In a country like the United States, the power of the president is limited by Congress, and if you want to increase investment in the Navy, you must have Congress's approval to allocate funds. Otherwise, even the president will not be able to dictate his ways.

"Your Excellency, we still have a lot of bottlenecks in terms of naval technology. If we could, it would be better if we could strengthen our ties with European countries and get the technology we needed from them. In this way, the development of our Navy will be even more rapid. Minister Daniels said.

The United States is indeed the world's largest industrial power. However, if it is said to be an industrial powerhouse, it is undoubtedly a bit reluctant. There is still a big gap between the scientific and technological strength of the United States and that of Europe. Most of their industries are based on extensive manufacturing, and high-tech industries are still relatively backward. As a result, the development of the US military industry has been greatly restricted. Originally, the United States wanted to get technology from Europe, and it was very difficult. Britain and other European powers are very hostile to the United States. However, the restrictions are different. The Great War broke out in Europe, and the United States became an important country that influenced the outcome of the war. Both the Entente and the Allies hoped to win over the United States. This gives the United States an opportunity to sit on the ground and raise prices. Europe will no longer hold on to the technologies that the United States urgently needs.

"The Foreign Service will cooperate with the Admiralty on this. The Europeans are too busy to take care of themselves, and this war will bring them down completely. We, on the other hand, can take advantage of the opportunity to develop. When the Europeans finish the war, they will find that the world is no longer theirs. President Wilson said. He is also a man of great ambition, and he hopes that during his presidency, he will be able to lead the United States to become the country that holds the main voice in the world.

"Your Excellency, the Japanese have already prayed to us for help. Their main naval forces have been almost completely annihilated by the Chinese. If the war continues, the Japanese will suffer very much, and even be destroyed by the Chinese. Therefore, the Japanese hope that we will be able to help them at a critical moment. In addition, the Chinese have always regarded Japan as a great enemy. If the Chinese destroy Japan, then they will be able to expand in the direction of the Pacific without impunity. At that time, the security and overseas interests of the United States will be greatly threatened. Secretary of State Brian said.

The Japanese ambassador to the United States paid a special visit to him and begged for US support and help. The United States does not have a special foreign minister, and the secretary of state has always been in charge of foreign affairs.

President Wilson nodded: "Japan is the most important pawn of the United States against China, and we can't let the Chinese pull it out so easily." Although, the Japanese have some mud that can't hold up the wall. However, we have run out of options. ”

Americans have always liked to hide behind their backs and manipulate other countries to achieve their goals. Rather than letting the United States personally come forward to confront China, it is better for the United States to support Japan and let Japan confront China. In this case, the investment should not only be smaller. At the same time, direct threats are avoided.

"The Chinese have just defeated the Japanese Navy, plus they have a strong army. If they were to go to war against Japan and destroy Japan, there would really be no way for other countries to do it. Secretary of War Garrison also said.

The strength of the Chinese Army is also world-class. The US Army and the Chinese Army are simply not comparable. If the Chinese Army landed in Japan, the Japanese would probably not be able to resist it.

"China and Japan have not declared war, and the two countries are not de jure at war. But if the Chinese landed in Japan, the nature would be different, and it could be seen as a Chinese invasion of Japan. In that case, Britain, as an ally of Japan, would certainly declare war on China in accordance with the treaty. Once Britain declares war on China, the entire Entente will probably be involved in the war. The scale of the world war will be further expanded. The Chinese shouldn't take this risk, right? Treasury Secretary McAdoo said.

"China and Japan have not declared war on each other, though. But in reality, they are already at war. In addition, the British were now simply unable to take care of Japan. The Central Powers were the greatest enemies of Britain and the Entente. Before the Allies were settled, even if China destroyed Japan, the British and the Entente would never have declared war on China. Even if there was a treaty of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, it would be a dead letter. The British could revoke the treaty at any time. Secretary Bryan shook his head. (To be continued.) )

PS: The first update has arrived, and it has been squeezed to the ninth, asking for a monthly pass! Thank you for the book friends who follow the fate of Langsha, while you are still young, and Yu Gaowu for your reward! Thank you book friends丨, lying on the grass basking in the sun, advertising producers, morning pine 79, jack10027631 monthly passes!