In the office building of the Department of War, the capital of the United States, Leonard, the US Army Staff.
Admiral Wood was sitting in front of the desk of War Minister Jacob Mt. Dickinson. After receiving a telegram from Admiral Pershing last night, he did not immediately make a decision, but handed it to Dee.
Minister Kinson. He was not able to decide on the matter of giving up the defense line of the Southern Madre.
"Admiral Wood, what do you think of this telegram sent by Admiral Pershing?" War Minister Dickinson asked. There was no unnecessary expression on his face, which made it possible for him to return to his desk.
Leonard.
Admiral Wood couldn't figure out what he meant. Is it support or no to General Pershing's suggestion?
"Mr. Minister, judging from the telegram sent back by General Pershing, the defense line of the Southern Madre Mountains is indeed very critical. Our troops have suffered heavy losses there, while the Chinese and casualties are very small. In addition, the morale is low, we must
It is already very difficult to defend the defense line of the Southern Madre. Therefore, I can understand General Pershing's idea!" Leonard.
Admiral Wood said.
Minister Dickinson nodded and said, "Do you also think we should give up the defense line of the Southern Madre?"
Leonard.
Admiral Wood hesitated for a moment and said, "Mr. Minister, from the perspective of the army, abandoning the defense line of the Southern Madre and moving the front line to central Mexico can effectively reduce our pressure and will be very beneficial for subsequent operations.
.However, from the perspective of the U.S. government, it is not the time to give up the defense line of the Southern Madre." Leonard.
Admiral Wood was careful to control his wording. He knew that if General Pershing's suggestion was known by the senior officials of the US government, he would definitely raise strong opposition.
"It is true! The government has been claiming to the people that our defense line in the South Madre is as solid as a rock, and the security of the United States is guaranteed. It is absolutely impossible for the Chinese to break through our defense line. The vast majority of people are also
Believe all this. Therefore, if we take the initiative to give up the defense line of the Southern Madre, there will be serious panic in the country, which will be detrimental to our preparations and domestic stability!" Minister Dickinson said with some concern.
"So, Your Excellency Minister, are we going to reject General Pershing's advice?" Leonard.
Admiral Wood nodded and asked. Although he did not go to the front line, he knew that with General Pershing's character, if he hadn't really been able to hold on, he would definitely not have made a request for retreat. However, from
From the government's perspective, we must now defend the defense line. No matter how much the loss is, it will be the same. After the war began, the US government has controlled major American media, and almost all the news released by the media were in the south.
The good news of how many attacks the Sierra Madre defense line has repelled from the Chinese army and how many enemies have been wiped out. As for the heavy casualties of the US military, it has never been mentioned. This made the American people subconsciously believe that the US military has resisted the Chinese army.
The Chinese army cannot threaten the US mainland with the attack, they are safe. If the US troops retreat from the defense line of the Southern Madre, you can imagine what consequences it will cause in the United States. Ordinary people will definitely think they are being managed by the government.
If you fool it, the government will likely overthrow the angry people.
"Wait a minute, let's go to the White House to meet the president!" said Secretary Dickinson. It is obviously unreasonable for the president to not know about such a big thing.
"Yes, Your Excellency Minister!" Leonard.
Admiral Wood nodded.
When the two arrived at the White House in the War Department's car, President William.
Howard.
Taft is discussing the current difficulties facing the United States with his staff. This year is 1912, the year of the United States' election, and the new president of the United States will be elected at the end of the year. President Taft's first term will also end
·But President Taft certainly does not want to be president for only four years, he also wants to seek re-election. Although, after the outbreak of the war, the president Taft's rights have been greatly expanded and Congress has temporarily stopped.
But in the election next year, if he fails, then he will be the president. You know, although the American media has been whitewashing the peace, as the US president, he doesn’t know the real situation of the US military now.
?So it will be very difficult for President Taft to pursue his next term, especially former President Theodore.
Roosevelt also wanted to run for the next president. This posed a great threat to Taft. Theodore.
Roosevelt and Taft are both people in the Republican Party. Although Taft has received the support of Republican bosses, Theodore.
Roosevelt had a great influence among ordinary voters. If news of the defeat of the US military leaked, it would be impossible for Taft to win the election.
President Taft's aides to establish that if he wants to win the election, he must make the American people believe that the US can withstand China's invasion and that the government can ensure their safety. In addition, there is another way, that is, war
On the grounds, the general election was postponed. However, this was the last choice. If we could obtain re-election through normal means, President Taft would not consider this method. However, President Taft also knew
, With the current situation on the front line becoming increasingly unfavorable, it will be very difficult for him to be re-elected. Now, he is not only facing Theodore in the party.
Roosevelt's threat was also facing the Democratic candidate Woodrow.
Wilson's threat is internal and external troubles. He now urgently hopes that the US military can win a victory. If it cannot win, then maintain its current situation.
When the secretary reported to War Secretary Dickinson and Army Chief of Staff Leonard.
After General Wood asked for a meeting, all Taft's aides left, and Taft met with Minister Dickinson and Leonard in the office.
Admiral Wood.
"Secretary Dickinson, General Wood, is there anything wrong with me today?" President Taft asked, his voice revealing fatigue. On the one hand, he should care about the situation on the front line, and more of his mind should be taken into account to deal with it.
This made him very tired in the election.
"His Excellency President, this is a telegram sent by General Pershing, the commander of the Mexican front line!" Minister Dickinson said, and handed the telegram to President Taft. As the Minister of War, he hopes that President Taft will understand what it is now.
In this case, we can accept General Pershing's advice. In this way, the US Army can preserve its strength and is also very beneficial for the subsequent operations.
President Taft looked at Dickinson suspiciously, then took the telegram and started reading it. However, after reading the telegram, his face suddenly turned pale. He is now trying to stabilize the voters in the country.
If the US military voluntarily abandons the defense line of the Sierra Madre, how can he explain to the majority of voters, he may be immediately driven out of the White House by the angry people, let alone seeking the next term. He doesn't even have to think about it,
Democratic presidential candidate Woodrow.
Wilson would jump out, and he was responsible for the incompetence of the Taft government, and most voters would believe it. At the same time, Theodore, who was fighting with him for the nomination in the Republican Party.
Roosevelt would definitely not be willing to be lonely. By then, President Taft's status would be in turmoil.
Theodore was the reason why Taft was able to become president.
Theodore, whom Roosevelt strongly supported.
Roosevelt regarded Taft as his successor, thinking that Taft could better continue his progressiveism. But he did not expect that after Taft came to power, he seemed to have completely changed his life and became a big American capitalist.
The spokesperson. This made Theodore.
Roosevelt was very disappointed. In addition, after the war began, the US military continued to lose on the front line, which made Theodore.
Roosevelt had the idea of re-election for president and began to implement the Theodore.
Roosevelt believes that only he can save the United States now.
"Bastard! What does Pershing want to do? Why should he give up the defense line we have painstakingly built? He is a coward. Are he afraid of being beaten by the Chinese? I want to remove him from his post!" President Taft was furious. Looking at him
Come on, General Pershing's suggestion is completely intended to overthrow his rule! This is something he absolutely cannot allow.
Secretary of War Dickinson and Chief of Staff Leonard.
Admiral Wood looked at each other in the face of the furious President Taft, but they immediately thought of the trouble President Taft is facing now, so they understood why President Taft was so angry.
It took a while before President Taft controlled his anger, and he rushed to Minister Dickinson and Leonard.
Admiral Wood said: "I suggest replacing that coward, Pershing. No wonder we are constantly defeated by the Chinese. It turns out that he, the commander, is timid!"
Minister of War Dickinson hesitated for a moment and said, "His Excellency President, General Pershing, as the Mexican front commander, has been approved by the cabinet. If he is replaced now, it is probably difficult to explain to the cabinet!"
"His Excellency President, Mexico's battle has now entered a critical state. If General Pershing is replaced at this time, it will have a very adverse impact on the frontline battle situation and may even cause the collapse of the frontline troops!" Leonard.
Admiral Wood also suggested.
"No, I must replace that coward!" The furious President Taft could no longer listen to other suggestions and immediately asked the secretary to summon cabinet members, hoping to obtain approval from the cabinet and remove General Pershing from the position!