"If we agree to the Australians' request and provide them with security guarantees, this may force the United States into a war that we do not want to see. We must be aware of this. Republican China has no less powerful weapons than the United States.
They have strong industrial capabilities, and their total population exceeds that of Europe and the United States combined. They can mobilize tens of millions of soldiers, which will be a huge problem for us.
Huge disaster!" Secretary of State Hull kept observing the president's reaction as he spoke. Australian Prime Minister Casey led a delegation to visit the United States to seek help. Australia is now in extreme danger, and the British boss seems to be just
With no hope left, I could only ask my second brother to come forward. Unexpectedly, isolationism was prevalent in the United States, and even Roosevelt was helpless. Secretary of State Hull and others advised him to act with caution.
"Yes, they can have tens of millions of troops, but we can let them wield a big stick like this to grab resources and colonies around the world, just like the Mongols did?" Roosevelt was silent for a while.
, then raised his head and said, at this moment a word suddenly popped into his mind, that is "Yellow Peril".
"We can put pressure on them. In addition, we can increase assistance to Japan and the United Kingdom, so that they can fight to the death with the Chinese first, and even help the Russians." Hull said, sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight, this
It is truly in the interests of Americans.
"The problem is that even if these countries join forces, there is little chance of defeating the Chinese. When the battlefield stabilizes a little, the Chinese will definitely counterattack. Who knows where their next target will be, the Japanese, the Russians, or India
Or Australia?" Roosevelt frowned and said, "If you add the United States, what will be the result?"
"It may also extend the war for a few years, but the question is, even if the Chinese are defeated, what can we get from it? It will only make the Russians and Japanese easier. Those two countries are even more terrible than the Chinese. In comparison,
, the Chinese should be an enemy of civilization." Hull said.
"Actually, it is useless for us to discuss these things here. Congress will not agree to us going to war with the Chinese!" Roosevelt forced a smile, and then became worried, "We should turn public opinion to support us." Another.
What makes him shrink back is the growing unrest on the European continent.
The Italians annexed Abyssinia in North Africa, and after the Germans merged with the Austrians, they clamored to prepare to send troops to rescue the millions of German compatriots living in dire straits in the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia.
Europe is the homeland of white people, but that is where the United States is more concerned.
From the bottom of his heart, Roosevelt still hoped to send out the navy to support the United Kingdom in order to intimidate the Chinese and make them give up their attempts to invade Australia and India. However, his illusions were immediately shattered by the operational memorandum provided by the Bureau of Naval Operations.
The thirty-two-page assessment report submitted by Secretary Admiral Stark frankly pointed out that the current U.S. naval power in the Pacific is simply insufficient to counter the rapidly rising Republic of China's navy. The Chinese
It has nine modern battleships and eight aircraft carriers, and there are 14 main warships being built in the dock at the same time. According to intelligence analysis, it may be six battleships and eight aircraft carriers, or it may be eight battleships, and the U.S. Navy
It has been restricted by the Washington Naval Treaty for many years. Although it has 18 battleships, these battleships are all old battleships built during World War I or the 1920s and cannot meet the needs of modern naval warfare at all.
Although the United States immediately started construction of two North Carolina-class battleships and four South Dakota-class battleships after the expiration of the Washington Naval Treaty, the two North Carolina-class warships have only just been launched, and the South Dakota-class battleships have just been launched.
The four battleships of the first-class battleship are still on the slipway and will not be commissioned for at least two years. According to intelligence, the new first-class battleship started to be built by the Republic of China during the same period has a displacement of 45,000 tons and will be equipped with 10 powerful 410mm guns.
Main guns, and the intelligence transmitted back from Japan indicates that the displacement of the three new first-class battleships being built by the Japanese will exceed 60,000 tons, instead of the previously estimated 45,000 tons.
In terms of strength, it is estimated that the U.S. Navy's armaments have lagged far behind the Republic Navy and even the Japanese Navy. If it risks a war with the Chinese because of the British, the U.S. Navy may be forced to abandon the Philippines, Guam or even Hawaii in the early stages of the war.
Naval bases have retreated to the coastline to seek protection from land-based aviation. Even the west coast of the United States may be attacked by opponents from the sea.
The cruel reality is really depressing. Fortunately, Chief of Staff of the Army Marshall agreed to give priority to the expansion of the navy. To this end, Roosevelt submitted a new "Navy Expansion Act" and "Two Oceans Navy Act" to Congress. The plan
The construction of 4 battleships and 6 aviation battleships started in fiscal year 1939, and the construction of 4 battleships and 6 aviation battleships started from fiscal year 1940 to 1942, enabling the U.S. Navy to maintain a superior strategic position in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
With Roosevelt's efforts, the United States' huge industrial capacity also began to be diverted to the war.
It will take time for the Americans to rearm their arms. Before that, they need to let the Japanese restrain the Chinese. To this end, Roosevelt decided to increase military assistance to Japan, which included nearly $500 million in steel, aluminum, and rubber.
, oil and other strategic materials, and even aircraft engines.
At the U.S. Embassy in Dongjiaomin Lane, Beijing, Lieutenant Colonel Smith came to the ambassador's room: "Mr. Johnson, do you have a problem with me?"
"Oh, please sit down!" Ambassador Johnson asked the secretary for a cup of coffee, brought it to Smith personally, and then sat on the sofa next to him. "That's it, our mediation has failed. The Chinese are unwilling to make a decision and not to Australia."
The commitment to launch an attack requires the Australians to declare their withdrawal from the war. This is basically impossible, and we cannot persuade the British to withdraw from the war now. They have lost too much and will certainly not sit at the negotiating table now."
"If they continue to delay like this, they will lose more." Smith said after taking a sip of coffee.
"Washington is eager for a detailed assessment report on the industry and military of the Republic of China. It is more objective for you to do the military assessment." Johnson said. The military attaches in the embassy are responsible for collecting and analyzing the location*
As for the responsibility of intelligence, it is naturally more appropriate for Smith to make reports on military strength assessment.
"Why, Washington has changed its policy towards China? It's not a good idea to have a military confrontation with them." Smith said, "This country's navy is probably about the same as that of the United States. I mean, adding the Pacific Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet together, it's just
The Pacific Fleet cannot cope with the Republican Fleet. And our army is far behind theirs, even a fraction of the opponent's. In terms of air force, we lag behind our opponents in terms of aircraft performance and quantity. If we take all the U.S. industry
Once we get started, it may take us three to four years to catch up to their level."
"The biggest threat to U.S. interests now is the Chinese, isn't it? A strong Japan will threaten U.S. interests in Asia and the Pacific, and a strong China is even more of a threat." Johnson said, "And they
It has already begun. This war was actually initiated by the Chinese. They were able to endure the Japanese aggression in 1931. Why did they react so violently to a bloody incident in which only a few dozen people were killed or injured?
They are actively challenging the dignity of the British Empire, forcing the British to respond with war. You must know that this country has been in the hands of a dictator for more than 20 years, and the voice of the people has no influence on the decisions made at the highest level.
The impact is very limited. In response to the crisis, the British built high trade barriers in its colonial areas around the world, making the countries that suffered deeply from this economic crisis hate it. The Chinese are actually actively plotting to colonize British colonies in Asia.
.”
"What you say makes sense, but what benefits can we gain by involving the United States in this war?" Smith said, "This country is too big. The distance from east to west is more than three thousand miles. We cannot completely defeat this country.
nation."
"It is not necessary to be directly involved in the war. There are many ways to obtain benefits." Jensen said, "Please complete this report as soon as possible. Washington is pressing it very urgently. Can it be done the day after tomorrow?"
"Okay, I'll work overtime these two days to make it." Smith nodded and said, then stood up to say goodbye and left the ambassador's room.