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"Mr. Roosevelt, Navy, can bring us victory?" William? President McKinley with Theodore? Roosevelt asked. On February 0 last year, the United States and Spain signed a peace treaty in Paris. The peace treaty provided for the transfer of Puerto Rico to the United States by Spain as recognition of Cuba** (which had in effect become a protectorate of the United States); The United States paid $5 million to Spain in retution for Puerto Rico. During the entire war, about 5,000 American troops died (of which less than 400 died in battle, and most of the rest died of disease). The United States seized important overseas colonies from Spain at a very small cost, mainly by taking advantage of the armed struggle of the Cuban people. This war became one of the main signs that the world began to enter the era of imperialism.

The rest of the people are also Theodore? Roosevelt's defeat of Spain last year made America's confidence rise again. If they can defeat China and be humiliated, this will greatly increase Americans' confidence in the government, and it will also be very beneficial for the United States to move toward the path of foreign expansion.

"Your Excellency, Gentlemen. If our opponent is only the Pacific Fleet of the Chinese Navy, we have a good chance of winning. However, if the defeat of the Japanese Navy causes the main force of the Chinese Navy to enter the eastern Pacific region, with the current strength of the US Navy, we will basically have no chance of winning. Actually, if possible, I would prefer the war to break out next year, or even the year after. In this case, our 'Maine-class' and 'Illinois-class' battleships are already in service. By that time, we will have 4 battleships, and such combat power, even if we cannot defeat the Chinese Navy, will be enough to protect ourselves! "Theodore? Roosevelt said. Obviously, his answer is not what everyone wants to hear.

"In other words, the key is the outcome of the naval battle between China and Japan." Vice President Garrett? Hobart said.

"Yes! However, I don't think the Japanese Navy has a chance of winning. The Chinese Navy has four of the world's most advanced 'Zhonghua-class' battleships, which are not something that the four old battleships ordered by Japan can handle! Even if our navy faces four 'Zhonghua-class' battleships, it will definitely lose! "Theodore? Roosevelt said.

So, what exactly are we supposed to do? Since Japan is not destined to be an opponent of the Chinese, why should we try to wade through this muddy water? "Treasury Minister Lyman? j？ Gage said speechlessly.

"The key is not Japan, it's the UK. The Japanese Navy was too weak, they were no match for the Chinese Navy. However, if the British Navy had joined in, it would have been very different. The Chinese Navy, although powerful, also built the most powerful battleships in the world. However, the British Navy was strong enough to defeat them. The contradictions between Britain and China in the Far East are growing. Britain will not sit idly by and watch Japan defeat and China dominate the Far East! "Secretary of War Russell? a？ Alger said.

"In other words, we are forced by our alliance with Japan, and we can declare war on China. However, we are not really at war with the Chinese navy, but waiting for the British to intervene. When the time comes, we will launch another attack on the Pacific Fleet of the Chinese Navy! "Secretary of State, John? Sherman said.

"That's right, that's my opinion! After all, the current U.S. Navy is not as good as the Chinese Navy, and if we are defeated again, I am afraid that this time we will not be able to hide from the angry people. "Theodore? Roosevelt said. After the last defeat, the government tried to divert the anger of the people on the Chinese. Otherwise, the U.S. government would probably be overthrown. Fortunately, the subsequent victory in the war against Spain led to a steady increase in support of the government in the United States. So, the United States can no longer experience another defeat.

"Well, gentlemen, let's do it according to this view!" William? President McKinley finally made a decision. Obviously, although the Pacific Alliance Treaty was signed, it stipulated that if one country was attacked by China, the other two countries would declare war on China. However, this time the United States obviously intends to betray Japan, and they will not attack China again when there is no absolute chance of victory. Even if war is declared, it's a big deal to send the US West Coast Fleet out to sea for a ride.

British Prime Minister Marquess Salisbury received the news of the declaration of war between China and Japan at 11 a.m. London time. The Marquis of Salisbury was taking care of his last bit of business before he was ready to go to lunch. At this time, the Japanese minister to the United Kingdom, Hirotomo Murakami, rushed to ask for a meeting.

"Your Excellency, China has brazenly declared war on the Japanese government! I ask the United Kingdom to give Japan maximum support! Hirotomo Murakami, the Japanese minister to the United Kingdom, said anxiously.

"Your Excellency, please rest assured that Britain will give Japan the support it can to the best of its ability!" The Marquis of Salisbury replied. In fact, Britain is very hopeful that this day will come. As for support for Japan, Britain has given enough. Next, it is time for Japan and the other Pacific Alliance countries to fight to the death with China, while Britain picks up the bargain behind.

The Marquis of Salisbury sent Hirochi Murakami, the Japanese minister to the United Kingdom, away, and then immediately asked the secretary to ask the Secretary of the Navy and the Field Marshal to come to the Prime Minister's Office to discuss countermeasures. When war broke out, it was clear that Britain could not afford to sit on the sidelines. Britain will come to its own hands if necessary.

Half an hour later, Admiral Frederick? William? Sir Richards and Field Marshal Frederick? Sray? Count Roberts came together. And the Prime Minister's Office, lunch has already been prepared. The Marquess of Salisbury specially invited the Lord of the Navy, Frederick? William? Sir Richards and Field Marshal Frederick? Sray? Earl Roberts had lunch together.

During this period, no one talked about the war between China and Japan, but talked about the economic development of the United Kingdom, and the recent drama and so on. It is as if the war between China and Japan is insignificant at all.

After lunch, the three entered the study of the Marquess of Salisbury.

"Two, war has been declared between China and Japan. A naval battle between the two countries is expected to break out in ten hours. So, what do we in the UK need to do to guarantee our interests? The Marquess of Salisbury asked.

"Your Excellency, Vice Admiral Filimantel has set off with the Far Eastern Fleet. I have already given an order, if there is an opportunity, it is inevitable that although the Chinese Navy has eliminated the Japanese Navy, but it has suffered heavy losses, the Far East Fleet will immediately intervene to maintain world peace! "Lord of the Admirals Frederick? William? Sir Richards said with a smile.

"It's very good. China is the main culprit of the world turmoil, and our British Empire is the world's largest power, so naturally Britain protects world peace! "The Marquess of Salisbury to the Lord of the Admiralty, Frederick? William? Sir Richards agrees with this.

"Then, Your Excellency Richards, please predict the outcome of the naval battle between China and Japan!" The Marquess of Salisbury asked.

"The specific combat power of the 'Zhonghua-class' battleships of the Chinese Navy is not yet known. However, in a four-on-four scenario, the Japanese Navy will definitely lose, but the Chinese Navy should also pay the price of two heavy losses. When the time comes, the six 'Sovereign-class' battleships of the Far East Fleet should be able to clean up the mess! "Lord of the Admirals Frederick? William? Sir Richards said.

The Marquis of Salisbury nodded, and then asked, "Count Roberts, what about the land war between the Russians and the Chinese?" Who will be the winner? ”

"According to my analysis, both polar bears and yellow-skinned monkeys will end up losing both. The Russians are too far from the Far East, the Trans-Siberian Railway has not yet been completed, and it is difficult for them to give full play to their superiority in forces. The Chinese are much closer. However, the combat effectiveness of the Chinese is obviously not comparable with the tall Russians. So, I came to this conclusion. However, the poor industrial base and logistical supply capacity of the Russians are very worrying! "Field Marshal Frederick? Sray? Count Roberts said.

The Marquis of Salisbury nodded. At this time, the secretary walked in and handed a telegram to the Marquis of Salisbury.

"The polar bears have made a condition to us, asking us to give them a loan, otherwise they will not have the funds to support the war!" The Marquis of Salisbury looked a little bad.

"The Russians are taking advantage of this opportunity to blackmail us!" Field Marshal Frederick? Sray? Count Roberts said.

"But there is no other way for us. If we do not agree to Russia's terms, then we will have to sit on Japan's defeat and even be wiped out or tamed by China. When the time comes, we will only be able to withdraw from the Far East! "Lord of the Admirals Frederick? William? Sir Richards said.

"Damn polar bears." The Marquis of Salisbury scolded hatefully.

In the end, after negotiation, Britain had no choice but to agree to Russia's request and provide Russia with a loan of 10 million pounds to support Russia in starting the war. France, too, was blackmailed by Russia, and in the end had to provide Russia with a war loan of 250 million francs, or about 10 million pounds. It was only after obtaining this war loan that a large number of Russian troops boarded the train to the Far East.

The Germans were quietly watching, but they kept their eyes on the British home fleet. If the British Home Fleet showed signs of heading to the Far East, they would make some moves to drag down some of the British Navy. to alleviate the pressure on China. Of course, Germany also hopes that Britain and China will lose both, and they will not do their best to help China.

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