"Your Excellency, the Chinese Empire will definitely become a threat to the Far East and the Pacific. Our three countries should unite to contain China. Only in this way can our interests be guaranteed. Although, the United States now has a very good relationship with the Chinese Empire. However, who can guarantee that after the Chinese Empire becomes stronger and stronger, they will still maintain such a mentality? Don't forget, the country has just been revived, and they have already waged three foreign wars. "British Foreign Secretary Edward. Sir Grey said.

Philand. C. Knox was silent, he knew that what the British said made sense. The reason why the Chinese Empire is so powerful now is that the Americans have made a lot of efforts. However, the United States originally supported China because it wanted to use China as a pawn to contain Japan and reduce Japan's threat to the United States. However, it now appears that the threat to the United States after the Chinese empire became stronger has exceeded the threat posed by Japan to the United States. There are no eternal friends in the world, only eternal interests. The United States must respond accordingly to the rise of the Chinese Empire.

"Your Excellency, we already have a detailed plan. Now, our country and France, the main focus needs to be on Europe in order to meet the challenge of the Germans. So, what we can do in the Far East is very limited. Therefore, we plan to fully support Japan and let them contain the Chinese Empire. Even if we can't completely contain the Chinese Empire, we must buy enough time for us. "Edward. Sir Grey said.

"That's a good idea. But will the Japanese be able to afford this heavy responsibility? "Philander. C. Knox said. You know, in the just-concluded Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese almost lost the crotch! Will such Japan still be able to contain China?

As for fighting proxy wars, the Americans agree with this. Able to pay for weapons. And then let the others go to war and hide in the rear and enjoy themselves, which is undoubtedly the best. However, for the British and French to choose Japan, Philander. C. Knox was a little disdainful.

"Your Excellency, the entire Far East. What other country but Japan could confront the Chinese Empire? Japan, as a former great power, is undoubtedly the most suitable choice. They have a decent industrial base, especially shipbuilding. The combat effectiveness of the army is also very strong. What Japan lacks is nothing more than money and resources. And we can provide them with that. Once we have our full support, Japan will soon be rearmed. When the time comes, the Chinese Empire will be held back to the death. Prime Minister Asquith said with a smile.

Philand. C. Knox nodded. He agrees that this is actually a practical approach.

"Your Excellency, we sincerely invite the United States to join us in containing the belligerent and evil country of the Chinese Empire!" French Prime Minister Aristide. Brian said.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Your Excellency the Prime Minister. When I return home, I will report to His Excellency the President. However, it's not up to me. "Philander. C. Knox said.

Eventually, Philander. C. Knox left without leaving any promises. But. Whether it's Prime Minister Asquith or Prime Minister Briand, they are convinced. The Americans will join in. For the sake of the United States, they will agree to unite to contain the Chinese Empire. As long as they have joined forces on the issue of containing China. Then, when the Entente and the Central Powers went to war, they would be more confident of drawing the Americans into the alliance.

The calculations of the British and the French are more than a little. They both contained the Chinese Empire. It has also won over the United States, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

In fact, without the need for the British, the Americans also realized that after China won the Sino-Japanese War again, it was already quite a bit of a big tail. For the sake of the United States itself. The United States is bound to adopt certain measures to curb the development of the Chinese Empire. The goal of the United States is to ensure that its interests in the Pacific are not affected. If possible, they even hope to be able to squeeze Britain and other European countries out of the Pacific Ocean, so as to achieve their goal of dominating the Pacific.

Philand. After returning to Washington, C. Knox rushed to the White House to report to US President William Howard Taft on the results of his visit to the United Kingdom. Among those who showed up in President Taft's office was Treasury Secretary Franklin. McVeigh, Secretary of War Jacob. M. Dickinson and Secretary of the Navy George von Lengelke Meyer.

"Your Excellency, Gentlemen, I have been very touched by this visit to the United Kingdom. The British Empire is still the most powerful country in the world, a well-deserved world hegemon. The funeral of His Majesty Edward VII was attended by most of the monarchs of Europe, including the British nemesis, Emperor Wilhelm II of the German Empire. It can be seen that the British Empire is still in full swing. "Philander. C. Knox said.

"Then, it seems that if we want to replace Britain and become the world hegemon, it will be impossible in a short time. We need to further improve our own strength. President Taft said.

"No, Your Excellency. The opportunity is still there. The whole of Europe was still in opposition to the two major military-political alliances, the Entente and the Central Powers. Judging from the current situation, it can be one or two years at the fastest, and three or four years at the slower. War will definitely break out between the Entente and the Central Powers. At that time, both Britain and Germany will consume a lot of national strength in the war. And we can make a war windfall. At that time, it will be just around the corner for the United States to surpass Britain and become the world hegemon. Secretary of War Dickinson smiled.

The other senior cabinet officials also nodded their heads one after another. The United States has long been aware that a major war will break out in Europe, so they have been quietly waiting for the opportunity to replace Britain and become the world hegemon.

"Your Excellency, did not the British once again offer to invite us to join the Entente?" Treasury Secretary McVeigh asked with a smile.

"Of course, of course they'll send out invitations. Both the British and the French were on the verge of being driven mad by the Germans. And we, the United States, have become their saviors. "Philander. C. Knox said with a smile.

"Haha!" Everyone laughed, including President Taft. As descendants of Europeans, what Americans want to do most is probably to surpass Europeans and become world leaders.

"The United States will definitely join the war. However, we will not take a position for the time being. Whether it is the Entente or the Central Powers, we will not take a position lightly when the final victory or defeat is not decided. President Taft said.

This is the strategy of the United States all along, and what they want is to grab the fruits of victory at the lowest cost. And not for the sake of the European countries. Savvy Americans wouldn't do such a thing.

"That's right, Your Excellency. Before I left, Prime Minister Asquith of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Briand of France proposed that the three countries unite to contain the expansion of the Chinese Empire in the Far East. I didn't make it clear, I just said that I need to come back and report to you. "Philander. C. Knox said.

As soon as he talked about the rise of the Chinese Empire, President Taft's face couldn't help but be gloomy. The rise of the Chinese empire has indeed become a thorny issue that the United States is now facing.

Although, the economic and industrial power of the United States could easily throw the Chinese empire out of several streets. However, from the point of view of military strength, it is not so easy for the United States to defeat the Chinese Empire. Even the overall strength of the U.S. Navy is far stronger than that of the Chinese Empire. However, the US Navy lacked experience in naval warfare in the era of dreadnoughts. The U.S. Navy's dreadnoughts are also still under construction. If you just rely on those old-fashioned former dreadnoughts, I am afraid that there are many opponents of the Chinese Imperial Navy. As for the Army, that's even less to say. The U.S. Army might still be able to fight a declining country like the Mexicans or the Kingdom of Spain. But if you want to fight with an army power like the Chinese Empire, it is undoubtedly looking for death.

Therefore, it is not a last resort. The Americans would never tear their faces with the Chinese Empire, let alone go to war. In addition, the Chinese Empire's increasingly open and huge market is coveted by the United States. Under such circumstances, the United States is even more jealous.

"The British and the French, do they also want to contain the Chinese Empire?" President Taft asked.

"Yes. The French colonies of Indochina, the Straits Settlements of the British and the Indian colonies are all under the noses of the Chinese. Moreover, now that the strength of both countries is contained in Europe, it is simply impossible to invest much in the Far East. If the Chinese want to do something against the colonies of the two countries, they will not be able to hold it at all. "Philander. C. Knox said.

"Our Philippines is also under the noses of the Chinese. If the Chinese want to fight the Philippines, we probably have no other way. Secretary of War Dickinson reminded.

President Taft took a deep breath and said, "Indeed, the Chinese Empire has grown faster than we expected. Now, they have developed into a world power. This has seriously affected our interests. It's time for us to shift our attitude toward China and prepare for the future. ”

President Taft now regrets that if he had known that the Chinese Empire was developing so quickly, they should not have provided so much help to the Chinese Empire in the first place. (To be continued.) )

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