The Japanese Government is well aware of the purpose of the Great White Fleet's visit. However, at this moment, the Japanese Navy has been hit hard like never before. The U.S. Navy has lost the need to deter the Japanese Navy. In addition, relations between Japan and the United States have been eased. Even Japan has the support of the United States. In such a situation, the US Navy should provide support, not deterrence, to the Japanese Navy.

The dinner was deliberately flattered by the Japanese, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves. And the American sailors, who disembarked for repairs, also had a pleasant night. According to the plans of the Great White Fleet, they were to stay in Tokyo for three days. Then we set off for China. Compared with Japan, China is the object of deterrence of the Great White Fleet.

The next day, on the morning of 1 August, Japan's Minister of the Navy, Rokuro Yashiro, and Vice Admiral Suo Shimamura, Minister of Naval Command, went to the battleship USS Connecticut for talks with the US Navy.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency. The U.S. Navy was very curious about the Sino-Japanese naval battle. Although, this may be a bad memory for you. However, we hope to be able to get to the bottom of the Chinese navy. Maj. Gen. Evans said straight to the point.

"Your Excellency, there is nothing to be ashamed of. In the decisive battle with the Chinese Navy, we did lose completely. Although the Chinese Navy has few capital ships, their capital ships are all advanced dreadnoughts. Not only does it have extremely strong firepower, but it also has a very strong defense. The speed is also generally faster than our former dreadnoughts. This allows the Chinese Navy to take full advantage of the superior performance of these warships and strike at our fleet. The reason why we will fail is actually entirely because there is an irreparable generation gap between the former dreadnoughts and the dreadnoughts. Rokuro Yashiro said.

The Japanese did not tell the truth to the Americans. Although, the United States now has a good relationship with Japan. But. The Japanese still see the Americans as their next rival. To some extent, many Japanese still hold a grudge against the Americans. I think that if it weren't for the Americans supporting China, China wouldn't be so strong. Nor would they have suffered such heavy losses in the war. The Japanese Navy hopes to defeat the Chinese naval command next time and become the hegemon of the western Pacific. When the time comes, their relationship with the United States will certainly undergo a 180-degree change. It's like the current U.S.-China relationship. So. Japan must prepare for the future.

Rear Admiral Evans frowned, the dreadnought was much more powerful than the previous dreadnought, he knew this very well. The United States is also building dreadnoughts, in particular, the 'South Carolina' class battleships and the 'Delaware-class' battleships have already entered service. Both of these classes of battleships were American-built dreadnoughts. The former has a displacement of more than 16,000 tons and is equipped with four twin 45 times caliber 305 mm guns, while the latter has a displacement of more than 22,000 tons and is equipped with five twin 45 times caliber 305 mm guns. In addition, the U.S. Navy also has 'Florida-class' battleships and 'Wyoming-class' battleships under construction. Once these two classes of battleships are also completed, the U.S. Navy will have a total of eight dreadnoughts in four classes. That's twice as many as the four capital ships that the Chinese Navy has. Other than that. The US Navy also has more than two dozen former dreadnoughts. Such strength is enough to throw off the Chinese Navy several streets. The only thing the U.S. Navy lacks is probably actual combat experience. The only combat experience of the US Navy was probably the Spanish-American War more than ten years ago. However, the warships used at that time were almost all former dreadnoughts and armored cruisers.

"Your Excellency, the only one that can deal with dreadnoughts is dreadnoughts. The Chinese Navy has not only dreadnoughts. There were also battle cruisers, which are all worth paying attention to. Compared to battleships. Although the battle cruiser was slightly weaker in defense, it was very fast. Such warships can pose a deadly threat to overseas trade routes. The Japanese Empire suffered this loss during the war. The Chinese Navy, using battle cruisers and light cruisers, dealt a devastating blow to the Japanese Navy's maritime trade routes, costing us dearly. Lieutenant General Suo Shimamura also said.

"Battlecruisers? Seemingly. The U.S. Navy is also going to conduct research in this area. Major General Evans said secretly.

The latest order received by the Great White Fleet is to go to China and deter China by force. Although, the Great White Fleet had sixteen battleships. However, these battleships were all former dreadnoughts. Not to mention. Having crossed more than half the world, the performance of these former dreadnoughts was severely affected. Rear Admiral Evans is really hard to determine whether the Great White Fleet under his command will win if there is a war between the Chinese Navy and the Great White Fleet. However, all twelve battleships of the Japanese Navy were wiped out, even if the Great White Fleet had four more. However, the possibility of the Chinese Navy defeating the Great White Fleet is still very high.

The thought of this problem gave Major General Evans a great headache. However, there is no way now. Although the US Navy already has four dreadnoughts already in service. However, those four dreadnoughts were far away in the United States, and it was too late to send them. He had to bite the bullet.

However, the Chinese Navy must not have the courage to tear up its face with the United States. In that case, he would have nothing to fear. All you need to do is show that the U.S. Navy is strong when you visit China. After all, although the main ships of the Chinese Navy are all cutting-edge dreadnoughts, their number is too small. The battleships of the Great White Fleet are sixteen, twelve more than the capital ships of the Chinese Navy!

Putting this issue aside, Major Evans will continue to negotiate with the Japanese side.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency. The Japanese Navy now suffered heavy losses and urgently needed to regain its strength. Did the Japanese Navy ever think about ordering battleships from the United States? Battleships of the United States of America, performance is absolutely guaranteed. For example, the 'Delaware-class' battleship we have already entered service, with a displacement of 22,500 tons, is equipped with five twin 45-caliber 305 mm main guns, and has a maximum speed of 21 knots. Maj. Gen. Evans said.

The United States also hopes to be able to sell some warships, after all, the arms trade is the most profitable. However, because the technological strength of the United States is not as strong as that of the European powers, the United States has not become the first choice for other countries to order warships.

Rokuro Yashiro and Lieutenant General Shimamura Suo were suddenly a little embarrassed. The United States, the big financier, they don't want to offend. If Japan wants to become strong, it cannot do without the support of the United States. However, Japan did not look down on those warships of the US Navy. What's more, they had already ordered the powerful 'King Kong-class' battle cruisers from the British. A powerful battleship armed with a 356 mm gun, it also has a speed of up to 27.5 knots. The battleships of the Americans are not at all comparable compared to the battlecruisers of the 'King Kong-class'.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency. We have already ordered new warships from the British, and now we don't have the financial resources to order any more warships. Yashiro Rokuro politely refused.

"Your Excellency, your navy wants to be revived and to defeat China. There are not a few warships that are needed! Maj. Gen. Evans said.

"Yes, so we ordered four battleships from the British, all of the most powerful. With a displacement of nearly 30,000 tons, it is equipped with four twin 356-mm guns and has a maximum speed of 27.5 knots. Rokuro Yashiro said.

Major General Evans' eyes widened suddenly, and he looked at Yashiro Rokuro in disbelief.

"With a displacement of 30,000 tons, four twin 356-mm guns, the speed can also reach 27.5 knots. How is this possible? "Rear Admiral Evans clearly could not believe that the British would be able to build such a formidable battleship.

"No, what about defense?" Major General Evans immediately asked. He knew that the battleships ordered by the Japanese were greatly exerted in terms of firepower and speed. Then, in terms of defense, there will inevitably be some abandonment.

"Yes, Your Excellency. The battleships we ordered, the defense is really not strong. However, this battleship was a battlecruiser. High speed and firepower are the most important things. As for defense, being able to deal with armored cruisers and light cruisers, then it would be enough. Rokuro Yashiro said.

Major General Evans nodded, and he had to leave it alone. After all, compared to the battleships sold by the British to the Japanese, those battleships of the US Navy are complete rubbish! The Japanese are not stupid, how could they spend unjustly money to buy these junk battleships?

The Great White Fleet stayed at Yokosuka Naval Base for another three days. On the morning of August 3, 4608 (10), the Great White Fleet set off from the Yokosuka Naval Base to prepare for the Lushun Naval Base of the Chinese Empire.

At present, the main forces of the Chinese Navy are anchored at the Arthur Naval Base. The construction of other naval bases has only just begun and has not yet been put into operation. The US Navy's Great White Fleet came straight to the Arthur Naval Base, naturally with the aim of deterring the Chinese Navy. The huge fleet of 16 battleships undoubtedly had an overwhelming advantage over the Chinese Navy.

Of course, can these sixteen battleships of the Great White Fleet really deter the Chinese Navy? I'm afraid it's not ordinary. Although the capital ships of the Chinese Navy are few, they are all dreadnoughts. And just after experiencing a decisive battle with the Japanese navy, he won the victory, and it was the time when morale was high. And what about the US Navy? Relying on strong industrial strength and financial resources, they can build a navy with huge warships. But the navy is more than just a pile of warships. (To be continued.) )

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