Chapter 284: Undeclared War

"Gentlemen? If we declare war on China, will we have the strength to defeat China? "William? President McKinley asked.

Everyone was silent. Although China has only just completed its reunification, its strength is unquestionable. China's military strength is enough to rank among the top in the world. In terms of the army, China has millions of well-equipped, well-trained, and war-tested troops. In the United States, there are only 100,000 National Guards who have not experienced a war for a long time and lack heavy weapons. According to the estimates of professors at the United States Military Academy at West Point, two divisions of the Chinese Army will be able to defeat the United States Army. In terms of the navy, although the gap is not as big as that of the army, even the Pacific Fleet, which China has stationed in Hawaii, is not absolutely sure that the US Navy will defeat.

"So, isn't it self-inflicted humiliation for us to declare war on China?" William? McKinley said.

"But, Your Excellency, now that our Minister has been killed, if we do not pay a blind eye, what will happen to us in the rest of the world? And what about the American people. Therefore, Your Excellency the President, now we have no choice but to show our courage and strength, even if we fail, we must show our determination! "Secretary of State, John? Sherman said.

William? McKinley was silent, did he know John? Sherman's meaning is to use the sacrifice of soldiers to give an explanation to the American people and awaken the bloody nature of Americans. However, such a method is not too cruel.

"Your Excellency, we must fight this battle. However, we can not declare war on China. In addition, the scale of the war is also controlled, just in Hawaii and the Chinese Pacific Fleet. If the Navy can defeat the Chinese Pacific Fleet, we will be able to occupy Hawaii and bring a just trial to Queen Liliukarani. If the navy is unable to win the victory, we can only quickly hold peace talks with China to avoid the expansion of the war! "Deputy Admiralty Theodore? Roosevelt said.

"That is, we do not declare war on China?" William? McKinley frowned, this kind of undeclared war seems to be a bit unruly!

"Your Excellency, this is a last resort for us. The main force of the Chinese Navy is pinned down in the western Pacific, and we can even contact the UK and let them help us contain the main force of the Chinese Navy. China's navy, on the other hand, launched an all-out blow to the Chinese navy. If we can win, then the Chinese will have to let us occupy Hawaii. Even if we fail, we can give an explanation to the people in China. The army has done its best, and there is no way to fail! We can also take advantage of this opportunity to expand our armaments! "Theodore? Roosevelt said. In this way, there will be no full-scale war between the United States and China, but at most a military conflict. If the United States fails, it will be able to end immediately and avoid further losses.

"Where's everyone's law?" William? President McKinley did not rush to answer, but turned to someone else. Although he is president, he cannot make decisions entirely on his own volition, and in many respects must agree with cabinet members.

"Your Excellency, I think this approach will work. I hate to admit it, but I have to say that it was the best thing for us. Even if we lose this war, we can end it at any time. The scale of the war will not be expanded! "Vice President Garrett? Hobart said. It is clear that he is not good for the US Navy.

"Your Excellency, while accelerating the development of the Navy, we must also accelerate the development of the Army. If the navy fails, we will definitely have to pay a certain price to end the conflict with China. What should we do if the Chinese come up with unacceptable conditions? Therefore, we also need to build a strong army. Only in this way can we guarantee the interests of our country to the greatest extent! "Secretary of War Russell? a？ Alger said. The U.S. Army is really bad, and this is undoubtedly an opportunity to take advantage of this rapid development.

William? President McKinley nodded, it is indeed time for the U.S. Army to accelerate its development, especially if the Navy is not absolutely sure of victory. In that case, it will not be the equivalent of disarming the entire United States after the defeat of the Navy. Moreover, China and the United States are separated by a vast Pacific Ocean, and it will be very difficult for China to land in the United States. The United States only needs a not too strong army, and it can defend its homeland well.

"Your Excellency, I will contact Britain, France, and other countries to get them on our side. That way, even if we fail, we won't pay too much! "Secretary of State, John? Sherman also said.

"Alright! Gentlemen, then let's fight with the Chinese! Still, Mr. Roosevelt, I hope that the Navy will surprise me, and that the brave lads will bring victory to the United States! "William? President McKinley said.

"Yes, Your Excellency, I will try to win. However, I have a mention that Colonel Mahan will command this battle. Our naval officers, none of whom have ever experienced actual combat, do not know how to win a powerful enemy in the age of steam, Colonel Mahan is the dean of the Naval Academy, and has observed two fierce naval battles that broke out in the Far East, and at the same time has a deep study of the Chinese Navy, is the only commander in our Navy who can be competent for this battle! "Theodore? Roosevelt said.

"However, Colonel Mahan has retired, and his rank is only that of colonel. I'm afraid it's not suitable to command this battle! You know, for this battle, our navy has almost all the main warships. "Secretary of War Russell? a？ Alger said.

"If we want to win, we have no choice. If Colonel Mahan can't lead our navy to victory, then no one else can! "Theodore? Roosevelt said stubbornly.

"Alright then, Mr. Roosevelt. We can immediately promote Colonel Mahan to Vice Admiral, who will be in full command of this battle! "William? President McKinley said. Although he knew that the chances of winning this time were very small, he still held on to a glimmer of hope that the US Navy would be able to create a miracle.

After that, Theodore? Roosevelt immediately made an appointment with Colonel Mahan and explained the matter to him.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency Mahan, you will be the first general in the U.S. Navy to be promoted directly from colonel to lieutenant admiral!" Theodore? Roosevelt said with a smile on his face.

"Oh my God! Roosevelt, are you trying to make me embarrassed? Colonel Mahan was speechless. Undoubtedly, he doesn't think it's a beauty difference. Let him command the U.S. Navy to fight the Chinese Navy, how can this be sent to death!

"Mahan, are you so unconfident? At least we have four battleships, the Chinese have only two. We also have more cruisers and destroyers, and we have a good chance of victory! "Theodore? Roosevelt cheered for Mahan.

"Roosevelt, you have not personally experienced the battles of the Chinese Navy and the Japanese Combined Fleet, and you do not know how terrible they are. At that time, they had only been in the army for less than two years, but their artillery skills were very terrifying, and they were even more powerful than the Japanese navy, which had been in operation for decades. The distance they fought was almost all above 6,000 meters, and our navy, not to mention 6,000 meters, even if it was four thousand meters, it would be very difficult for them to hit the target accurately! Colonel Mahan said with trepidation.

"But, Mahan, we don't have any other way now. I can't find a better commander in the whole country than you. "Theodore? Roosevelt said. The first enemy of the U.S. Navy was the mighty Chinese Navy, which he did not expect.

"Well, Roosevelt, I'll do my best! I can't guarantee victory, though, I can only promise to do my best to bring the lads back instead of letting them die! Also, I haven't been in the army for a long time, so what if those guys don't listen to me? Colonel Mahan said.

"I will ask Your Excellency the President to give you the power to appoint and dismiss your fleet. This time, after the main force of the Atlantic Fleet and the Pacific Fleet converge, it will be merged into the US Western Fleet, and until the end of the war with China, you will be solely responsible for the personnel appointment and dismissal of the fleet! "Theodore? Roosevelt said. Now, he can only trust Colonel Mahan.

"Okay, that's fine. I rushed to San Diego to get acquainted with the troops first! Colonel Mahan said. The Atlantic Fleet is still on a long journey, and it will be at least the end of the month to arrive in San Diego. At that time, the battleship will have to be overhauled, and the battle against the Chinese Navy will be launched at least in September. Therefore, he still had enough time to get acquainted with this fleet, which gathered almost all of the combat power of the US Navy.

"Mahan, may God bless you!" Theodore? Roosevelt said.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine!" Mahan laughed.

The Queen of Hawaii hanged U.S. Minister to Hawaii, John? The Stevens incident caused a stir in the world, and the Western powers strongly condemned Hawaii's practice. With it, China is also under a lot of pressure. However, the Chinese side still took a hard line on this, and while putting the blame on the Hawaiian Kingdom, it announced that it would protect the security of the Hawaiian Kingdom, much to the displeasure of the Western powers.

However, the United States seems to have fallen silent. It's just that everyone knows that with the concentration of the US Navy on the west coast, China and the United States directly, and perhaps a war.

PS: The third update is here! I'm running naked again, begging for subscriptions! (To be continued.)