One month later, when Magiffen walked into the conference room at the Annapolis Naval Academy with his report, Theodore Roosevelt, the de facto leader of the U.S. fleet, Admiral Simpson of the Navy, and Colonel Mahan of the Annapolis Naval Academy had been waiting for a long time. Such a high specification made Ma Jifen, who had just returned from Beiyang, feel flattered.

"Colonel Magifin. I've read the outline of the report you wrote, and if I'm not mistaken, you mean that before 1898 the U.S. Navy was not fit to clash head-on with the Spanish Navy? Roosevelt asked.

"The American fleet has absolute tonnage superiority and geographical superiority. But this advantage does not ensure that we are foolproof. Moreover, the Spaniards have been operating in Cuba for hundreds of years, and even though the fortifications and artillery of Santiago are old, they still have some use. At least it can provide a relatively solid base for the fleet. Magiffen explained.

"Let's start with the fleet, and from my own point of view, I think that by 1898 the fleet of the United States of America will be much stronger than the Spanish fleet, and by that time the American fleet will have four 10,000-ton battleships, two armored cruisers of more than 6,000 tons, and more than a dozen protective cruisers. By the way, there are also 4 shore defense gunboats. Admiral Simpson said.

"By 1898, the Spaniards had only five 10,000-ton warships at most, three of which were armored cruisers, and three or four protective cruisers suitable for the ocean." Roosevelt added.

"On paper, it seems. We have an absolute tonnage advantage, but it has to be said that the fleet of the United States of America is not really suitable for a fleet armed with the most advanced warships. The gap in quality is more than enough to offset our quantitative advantage. Magiffen shook his head and said.

"Actually, from my personal point of view, I personally think that the actual performance of my country's Indiana-class battleships may not be as good as the PISA-type armored cruisers produced by the Kingdom of Italy for the Spanish Navy. In the event that neither side is able to penetrate the opponent's armor, the mode of naval warfare will change to using high-explosive shells to attack the opponent's non-critical defensive areas in order to burn the opponent's ships. In this case, the amount of projection will become the standard by which the firepower of a battleship will be measured. Magiffen said.

"Our new 13-inch gun has the potential to penetrate the protection of armored cruisers of the PISA type." Simpson said dissatisfied.

"At least it has been proved in actual combat that the 12-inch guns of the French could not penetrate the main armor belt of the Tianjin, which also belongs to the PISA class. The defense of hardened armor completely exceeded the estimates. In addition, because the 13-inch gun has an excessively slow rate of fire, it is best not to expect too much from the hit rate. The hit situation of the Japanese 3 Jingjing ships in the First Sino-Japanese Naval Battle is very revealing. Magiffen said.

"But if you calculate the amount of projection, except for the capital ships. The U.S. Navy also has as many as 13 protective cruisers. The absolute superiority in numbers and projection volume can fully support the main fleet after solving the 3 or 4 protective cruisers of the Spanish Navy. Theodoros said.

"If the United States of America fleet happens to be in full swing when the Spanish fleet attacks, I think the Spaniards will definitely choose to retreat, and then choose to take advantage of the speed advantage after the American fleet is dispersed." Magiffin did not think that the Spaniards, with the help of a certain commander of the Northern Fleet, would be foolish enough to fight the entire American fleet.

"And I must emphasize that the speed of our fleet is significantly slower than that of the other side. This would be extremely disadvantageous in an engagement, if the U.S. fleet went to battle with a fleet of shore defense ships or old gunboats with a speed of only 12 to 14 knots. Then we will never be able to catch up with the Spaniards, you have to know the way. The speed of the opponent is generally above 20 knots, and the speed of the protective cruiser can reach 23 knots! Magiffen paused, then continued despite Roosevelt's stern gaze.

"As for protection, not to mention the unreasonable layout of our battleships. A large number of protective cruisers were simply not suitable to compete with the new warships produced by the Italians. From the point of view of protection and firepower, the vast majority of China's 4,000-ton cruisers are inferior compared with the Japanese Navy's Takasago. These ships will be quite vulnerable in the face of a large number of 8-inch and 10-inch rapid-fire guns. As soon as the Spaniards found a gap of an hour or so, the American fleet could lose several protective cruisers. When he said the last word, Majifen let out a sigh of relief. He has done his best, and as for how much these bigwigs listen, it has nothing to do with him. …,

"Okay, Colonel, your opinion will be fed back to the top, but we are soldiers, and soldiers need to obey the needs of the country and politics." Looking at the iron-faced Theodore Roosevelt and the indifferent Magifin, Admiral Simpson immediately came out of the round.

"Colonel Magifin, if you have a better opinion, you can come to me at any time, if nothing else. You will serve as the captain of the armored cruiser USS Brooklyn in the United States of America. I hope you are satisfied with this appointment. ”

"Mr. Admiral, I am very pleased with this appointment, and it is my life's goal to become the captain of the American fleet." Magiffen stood up and saluted.

"Alright, guys, I still have some things to deal with, so you can keep talking." With that, Theodore Roosevelt got up and left the venue.

"Majifen, I know that what you said is the truth. But you should know that in officialdom, not everyone is justified by whom. As soon as Roosevelt left. Admiral Simpson complained.

"Thank you for your kindness, but this is a duty that you must follow as a U.S. Navy officer." Magiffen said apologetically.

"But Mr. Assistant is right in one thing. That is, the military must be subordinated to the needs of the state and politics. What we need to do now is take immediate remedial action. Admiral Simpson asked.

"I'll do my best, Your Excellency." Magifen said.

"Well, I have something to do, this is Colonel Mahan, he is very interested in your service in the Far East, you can talk to him." With that, Admiral Simpson also got up and left.

And just after Admiral Simpson left on the front foot. Colonel Mahan, who had not spoken, spoke: "Do you know what to say? Colonel Majifen, it is entirely possible for you to become the commander of a detachment, but just now, you almost couldn't even be a captain. ”

"What do you mean? I don't understand. Magiffen said with a frown.

"If you can put it more tactfully today, then the appointment of the Admiralty is most likely the commander of a certain detachment. But because of some of your radical words and deeds, maybe this order will turn into a transfer to an idle post in the Admiralty. Fortunately, Admiral Simpson is a good man, and the news he first revealed to you was never mentioned at the Admiralty. But now, for the sake of Mr. Admiral's face. I think Mr. Roosevelt will give you a captain's position. Mahan said solemnly.

"Okay, let him rot in his stomach with these things. Now let's get down to business, what else do we need to do if we want to go to war? Mahan asked.

"I want to know if the Ludao Navy can get more warships in the next two years or so." Magifen asked.

"I'm afraid not, it's too late to shoot new warships now, and it will take about three years for battleships to start construction and enter service at the earliest, and now it's doubtful that we can get more budgets. As for the procurement of warships from other countries? Let's not say that the United States does not have this convention. Even if you want to buy it now, it is unlikely, the shipyards of the Italians are already filled with orders. The British did not support this. The French were busy updating their capital ships and helping the Russians with production. Germany was hostile to American expansion in the Far East (historical fact, Germany originally intended to intervene in the Spanish-American War, but later abandoned it because of Britain). Mahan said helplessly.

"What the hell is going on? Isn't the Navy's actions not just in the Caribbean? Will the Far Eastern Fleet take action against the Philippines? Majifen said in surprise.

"Theoretically, so. The navy considered the Spaniards nothing to fear. Of course, such an act could provoke the great power of the Far East, which had just won the victory. Mahan said calmly.

"It was terrible. When I was in Beiyang, the top brass of Beiyang was very hostile to U.S. support for Japan in the war. And if the American fleet brazenly changes the pattern of the Far East, it is very likely that the Beiyang Fleet will take action, which is definitely not alarmist. Ma Jifen's face changed. …,

"Maybe the U.S. is really taking a bigger step. Before the wings are full. It is indeed not advisable to provoke certain forces. Especially in the Far East, thousands of miles away from the United States. Mahan was quite sensible, and he knew that the Philippines belonged not to the confrontation between the Spanish fleet and the American fleet, but to the attitude of Britain and the Qing Dynasty.

"As far as I know, the rulers of the Qing Kingdom are very corrupt, will they consider this matter that has nothing to do with them directly?" Mahan still said a little unwillingly.

"Now Beiyang has a lot of independence. As early as 5 years ago, the Beiyang Fleet was already involved in the deterrence of Batavia. And now Beiyang is stronger than it was then, and the center's binding force on Beiyang is also less. Before returning to China, the top brass of Beiyang had already expressed their dissatisfaction with the United States' meddling in the affairs of the Far East. So. There is a high probability that Beiyang will intervene. Magiffen said carefully.

"Well, as military personnel, let's think about how to bring Cuba under the control of the United States of America in the coming period. The navy is the key to victory, we can't change anything, all we can do is find ways to win the war. Mahan said after a moment of contemplation.

"Also, on the question of the comparison of the strength of the two fleets, Admiral Simpson and I are both of the opinion that the American fleet will have an advantage. What we need to do is to concentrate our forces and then cover the landing of the army. When the army opens up the situation, the navy can take the initiative to fight a decisive battle, and in addition, we have a stronger port and a perfect logistics support system. As long as I drag my time, the victory will be ours. No matter how powerful the fleet is, if it leaves a consolidated base, it is only a disposable. Mahan said.

"But if the capital ship is sunk, it is almost impossible to replenish it in wartime." Looking at the confident Mahan, Majifen muttered in his heart.

Thank you for the reward of the book friend Shanqing, if the Shanqingqing bookfriend really likes this book, welcome to my readership, there are benefits~~~. At the same time, I would like to thank the book friends for their support with a breezy monthly pass. (To be continued) RQ