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

Everyone was silent. Although China had just completed unification not long ago, their strength was unquestionable. China's military strength was enough to rank among the forefront of the world. In terms of the army, China has millions of well-equipped equipment and training.

Su, and the army tested by war. The United States has only a hundred thousand National Guards that have not experienced war for a long time and lack heavy weapons. According to the estimates of professors at the West Point Military Academy in the United States, two divisions of the Chinese Army

, you can defeat the US Army. In terms of the navy, although the gap is not as big as the army, even the Pacific Fleet sent by China to Hawaii is not absolutely sure to defeat the US Navy.

"So, isn't this a humiliation for us to declare war on China?" said William McKinley.

"But, Your Excellency President, now our minister has been killed. If we ignore it, what will the rest of the world think of us? What will the American people think of us? So, Your Excellency President, now we have nothing.

If you have other choices, you can only show our courage and strength. Even if you fail, you must show our determination!" Secretary of State John Sherman said.

William McKinley was silent. He knew that John Sherman meant to use the sacrifice of soldiers to give the American people an explanation to awaken the Americans' blood. However, isn't such a method a little too cruel?

"His Excellency President, we must fight this battle. However, we can not declare war on China. In addition, the scale of the war is controlled, and it is enough to control it in Hawaii and the Chinese Pacific Fleet. If the Navy can defeat the Chinese Pacific Fleet

, we will be able to occupy Hawaii and conduct a just trial of Queen Liliukarani. If the Navy cannot win, we can only quickly negotiate with China to avoid the war!” said Theodore Roosevelt, deputy secretary of the Navy.

"In other words, we have a fight to China without declaring it?" William McKinley frowned. This kind of fight to China without declaring it seems a bit unruly!

"His Excellency the President, this is the last resort for us. The main force of the Chinese Navy is restrained in the Western Pacific, and we can even contact the United Kingdom to help us restrain the main force of the Chinese Navy. And our Navy,

A full blow to the Chinese Navy. Victory and defeat are here. If we can win, then the Chinese can only let us occupy Hawaii. Even if we fail, we can have an explanation for the people in the country.

The army has done its best, and there is no way to fail! We can also take this opportunity to expand our military!" said Theodore Roosevelt. In this way, there will be no full-scale war between the United States and China, at most it will be a military battle.

Just a conflict. Once the United States fails, it can end immediately and avoid greater losses.

"What do you think?" President William McKinley did not rush to answer, but looked at others. Although he was the president, he could not make decisions entirely based on his own will. In many ways, he must

Only by reaching an agreement with the cabinet members.

"His Excellency President, I think this method is feasible. Although I am unwilling to admit it, I have to say that this is indeed the best way for us. Even if we lose this war, it can end at any time.

The war will not be expanded!" said Vice President Garrett Hobart. Obviously, he is not optimistic about the US Navy.

"His Excellency the President, 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. If the Chinese propose it and it is difficult to accept it.

What should we do with the conditions? Therefore, we must also build a strong army. Only in this way can we maximize the interests of our country!" said Russell A. Alger, Minister of War.

The Army is really bad, and this is undoubtedly an opportunity to take advantage of this rapid development.

President William McKinley nodded. The US Army is indeed time to accelerate its development, especially if the Navy is not sure of winning. In that case, the entire United States will not be able to do so after the Navy fails.

It is equivalent to being disarmed. Moreover, there is a vast Pacific between China and the United States. If China wants to land in the United States, it will be very difficult. The United States only needs a not-so-strong army, so it can be very good.

The defense is now in the country.

"His Excellency President, I will contact Britain, France and other countries to let them stand on our side. In this way, even if we fail, we will not pay too much!" Secretary of State John Sherman also said.

"Okay! Gentlemen, then let's fight with the Chinese! But Mr. Roosevelt, I hope the Navy can give me a surprise, and hope that the brave boys can bring victory to the United States!" President William McKinley

Said.

"Yes, Your Excellency the President, I will try my best to win. However, I have a proposal to let Colonel Mahan command this battle. Our naval officers have never experienced actual combat and have no idea how to steam

The times win a powerful enemy. Colonel Mahan is the dean of the Naval Academy. He has also observed two fierce naval battles that broke out in the Far East. He also has a deep study of the Chinese Navy. He is the only one in our navy who can do this.

Commander of a battle!" said Theodore Roosevelt.

"But Colonel Mahan has retired, and his military rank is just a colonel. I'm afraid it's not suitable to command this battle! You know, for this battle, our navy has almost drawn all the main battleships.

.” said War Minister Russell A. Alger.

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

"Well, Mr. Roosevelt. We can immediately promote Colonel Mahan to lieutenant general, responsible for the full command of this battle!" said President William McKinley. Although he knew that the possibility of victory was very small,

However, he still held a glimmer of hope, hoping that the US Navy could create miracles.

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

"Congratulations, Lord Mahan, you will become the first general in the US Navy to be promoted directly from colonel to lieutenant general!" Theodore Roosevelt said with a smile on his face.

"Oh my God! Roosevelt, are you trying to deliberately make me embarrassed?" Colonel Mahan looked speechless. There was no doubt that he did not think this was a bad guy. He asked him to command the US Navy to go with the Chinese Navy.

Fighting, no matter how you look at it, you're going to die!

"Mahan, are you so unconfident? At least we have four battleships and only two Chinese. We have more cruisers and destroyers, and we are likely to win!" Theodore Roosevelt cheered Mahan for his anger.

road.

"Roosevelt, you have not personally experienced the battle between the Chinese Navy and the Japanese Combined Fleet, and you don't know what they are terrifying. At that time, they had only been in the army for less than two years, but their artillery skills were very terrifying, better than those of Japan.

The navy that has been in force for decades is still strong. The distance they fought is almost 6,000 meters, and our navy, not to mention 6,000 meters, even if it is 4,000 meters, they will hit the target accurately, I am afraid they will be very

The difficulty!" Colonel Ma Han said with lingering fear.

"But, Mahan, we have no other way now. In the country, I can't find a commander who is more suitable than you." said Theodore Roosevelt. The first enemy of the US Navy is the powerful

This is something he did not expect from the Chinese Navy.

"Well, Roosevelt, I will do my best! But I can't guarantee that I can win. I can only promise to do my best to bring the lads back instead of letting them die! In addition, I haven't been there for a long time.

I have been in the army. What if those guys don’t obey my orders?” said Colonel Mahan.

"I will ask the President to give you the power of appointment and removal of the fleet. This time, after the main force of the Atlantic Fleet and the Pacific Fleet merge, they will merge into the American Western Fleet. Before the end of the war with China, the personnel appointment and removal of the fleet will be fully responsible for you.

!” said Theodore Roosevelt. Now he could only trust Colonel Mahan.

"Okay, that's fine. I'll hurry to San Diego immediately and get to know the troops first!" said Colonel Mahan. The Atlantic Fleet is still on a long-distance trip. It's at least the end of August to arrive in San Diego. By then, the warships will be at the end of August.

He also needs to be inspected and launched a battle against the Chinese Navy, at least he will have to go until September. Therefore, he has enough time to get familiar with this fleet that gathers almost all the combat powers of the US Navy.

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

"Don't worry, I'll be safe and fine!" Ma Han smiled.

The incident in which the Queen of Hawaii hanged John Stevens, the US Minister to Hawaii, was in a sensation in the world, and Western powers strongly condemned Hawaii's approach. As well, China also received a lot of attention.

Pressure. However, China still expressed its toughness on this. While pushing the blame on the Kingdom of Hawaii, it announced the protection of the security of the Kingdom of Hawaii, which made the Western powers dissatisfied.

However, the United States seems to be silent. However, everyone knows that as the US Navy concentrates on the west coast, China and the United States may directly encounter a war.
Chapter completed!