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"Mr. Roosevelt, can the Navy bring us victory?" President William McKinley looked at Theodore Roosevelt and asked. On December 10 last year, the United States and Spain signed a peace treaty in Paris. The peace treaty stipulated: Spain recognized
Cuba ** (actually reduced to a protectorate of the United States), transferred Puerto Rico to the United States; the United States handed over to Spain in order to obtain Puerto Rico.
Pay 5 million US dollars as compensation. During the entire war, the U.S. military died about 5,000 people (of which less than 400 died in combat, and the rest died of illness). The United States seized important overseas colonies from Spain at a very small cost, mainly by using
The armed struggle of the Cuban people. This war became one of the main symbols that the world began to enter the era of imperialism.
The rest of the people are also looking at Theodore Roosevelt, who defeated Spain last year, which suddenly made the United States' confidence rise again. If they can defeat China and avenge their disgrace, this will greatly improve Americans' confidence in
The government's confidence is also very beneficial to the United States' path to foreign expansion.
"Your Excellency, Mr. President, gentlemen, if our opponent is only the Pacific Fleet of the Chinese Navy, we have a high probability of victory. However, if the Japanese Navy is defeated and the main force of the Chinese Navy enters the Eastern Pacific, with the United States
With the current strength of the navy, we basically have no chance of winning. In fact, if possible, I would rather the war be
It will break out next year, or even the year after that. In this case, our 'Maine-class' battleships and 'Illinois-class' battleships will already be in service. By that time, we will have 14 battleships. With such combat power, even if we cannot
Defeating the Chinese navy is enough to protect ourselves!" Theodore Roosevelt said. Obviously, his answer was not what everyone wanted to hear.
"In other words, the key is the outcome of the naval battle between China and Japan." Vice President Garrett Hobart said.
"Yes! However, I think there is no possibility for the Japanese Navy to win. The Chinese Navy has four of the world's most advanced 'Zhonghua-class' battleships, which are not what the four old-fashioned battleships ordered by Japan can handle! Even our Navy, if faced
Against the four 'China-class' battleships, defeat is inevitable!" Theodore Roosevelt said.
"So, what should we do? Since Japan is destined to be no match for the Chinese, why do we still want to swim in this muddy water?" Finance Minister Lyman J. Gage said quite speechlessly.
"The key lies not with Japan, but with the United Kingdom. The Japanese navy is too weak and they are no match for the Chinese navy. But if the British navy joins in, it will be a big difference. Although the Chinese navy is powerful, it has also built the world's largest navy.
Powerful battleships. However, the British navy is powerful enough to defeat them. The conflict between Britain and China in the Far East is getting bigger and bigger. Britain will not sit back and watch Japan defeat and China dominate the Far East!" Secretary of War Russell?
A? Alger said.
"In other words, due to our alliance with Japan, we can declare war on China. However, we do not really fight the Chinese Navy, but wait for the British to take action. At that time, we will launch an attack on the Chinese Navy's Pacific Fleet.
!" said Secretary of State John Sherman.
"Yes, this is my view too! After all, the current U.S. Navy is not as good as the Chinese Navy. If we are defeated again, I am afraid we will not be able to hide from the angry people this time." Theodore Roosevelt said.
After the last defeat, the government elaborated on measures
, only then did the public's anger shift to the Chinese. Otherwise, the U.S. government might have been overthrown. Fortunately, the subsequent war against Spain was victorious, which caused the American people's support for the government to increase steadily. Therefore, the United States has
I can't afford another failure.
"Okay, gentlemen, let's implement it according to this point of view!" President William McKinley finally made the decision. Obviously, although the Pacific Alliance Treaty was signed, it stipulates that if one country is attacked by China, the other two countries must
Declared war on China. However, this time the United States obviously intends to betray Japan. They will not launch an attack on China again when there is no absolute chance of victory. Even if they declare war, the worst case scenario is to send the U.S. West Coast Fleet to
Go for a spin on the sea.
When the British Prime Minister, the Marquess of Salisbury, received the news that China and Japan had declared war on each other, it was exactly 11 a.m. London time. The Marquess of Salisbury was handling the last bit of official business, and then was preparing to have lunch. At this time
, the Japanese Minister to the United Kingdom, Hiroshi Murakami, came to ask for a meeting.
"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, China has brazenly declared war on the Japanese government! Please ask the United Kingdom to give Japan maximum support!" Murakami Hiroshi, the Japanese Minister to the United Kingdom, said with an anxious look.
"Mr. Minister, please rest assured that the UK will give Japan all the support it can!" replied the Marquis of Salisbury. In fact, the UK very much hopes to see this day come. As for its support to Japan, the UK has already given enough.
Much more. Next, it is time for Japan and other Pacific Alliance countries to fight to the death with China, while the United Kingdom takes advantage of the situation.
The Marquess of Salisbury dismissed the Japanese Minister to the United Kingdom, Hiroshi Murakami, in a few words, and immediately asked his secretary to ask the Secretary of the Navy and the Field Marshal to come to the Prime Minister's Office to discuss countermeasures. When the war broke out, Britain obviously could not stand by and watch.
When necessary, Britain will take action for its own interests.
Half an hour later, Lord of the Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards and Field Marshal Earl Frederick Slay Roberts arrived hand in hand. Lunch was already prepared at the Prime Minister's Office. Salisbury
The Marquis specially invited Lord of the Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards and Field Marshal Earl Frederick Sleigh Roberts to have lunch.
During this period, no one was talking about the war between China and Japan. Instead, they were talking about the economic development of the UK, the recently released drama, etc. It was as if the war between China and Japan was of no importance at all.
After lunch, the three of them entered the study of the Marquis of Salisbury.
"You two, China and Japan have declared war. It is expected that a naval battle between the two countries will break out in ten hours. So, what do we in the UK need to do to ensure our interests?" asked the Marquess of Salisbury.
road.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, Lieutenant General Philemantle has led the Far East Fleet to set off. I have issued an order. If there is an opportunity, although the Chinese Navy has destroyed the Japanese Navy, it has suffered heavy losses, and the Far East Fleet will take action immediately.
To maintain world peace!" Lord of the Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards said with a smile.
"This is very good. China is the main culprit causing world turmoil. Our British Empire is the world's most powerful country. Naturally, Britain protects world peace!" The Marquis of Salisbury told the Lord Admiralty Frederick William Richards.
Jazz very much agrees with this point of view.
"So, Sir Richards, please predict the outcome of the naval battle between China and Japan!" asked the Marquess of Salisbury.
"The specific combat power of the Chinese Navy's 'Zhonghua-class' battleships is still unknown. However, in a four-on-four battle, the Japanese Navy will undoubtedly lose, but the Chinese Navy should also pay the price of two heavy losses. By then,
The six 'Sovereign Class' battleships of the Far East Fleet should be able to clean up the mess!" said Lord of the Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards.
The Marquis of Salisbury nodded, and then asked: "Earl Roberts, what about the land war between the Russians and the Chinese? Who will be the final winner?"
"According to my analysis, both polar bears and yellow-skinned monkeys will suffer in the end. The Russians are too far away from the Far East, and the Trans-Siberian Railway has not yet been connected, so it is difficult for them to take advantage of their military strength. The Chinese are much closer. However,
Chinese war
The fighting power is obviously not comparable to that of the tall Russians. So, I made this conclusion. However, the Russians’ poor industrial base and logistics supply capabilities are very worrying!” Field Marshal Frederick?
Earl Slay Roberts said.
The Marquis of Salisbury nodded. At this time, the secretary came in and handed the Marquis of Salisbury a telegram.
"The polar bears have made conditions to us, asking us to give them a loan, otherwise they will have no war funds to support this war!" The Marquis of Salisbury looked a little unhappy.
"The Russians are taking the opportunity to blackmail us!" said Field Marshal Earl Frederick Slay Roberts.
"However, we have no other way. If we don't agree to Russia's conditions, then we will have to sit back and watch Japan be defeated, or even be eliminated or tamed by China. At that time, we will only be able to withdraw from the Far East!" Navy Minister Fu
said sir rederic william richards.
"Damn polar bear." The Marquis of Salisbury cursed bitterly.
In the end, after deliberation, Britain had no choice but to agree to Russia's request and provide Russia with a loan of 10 million pounds to support Russia in launching this war. France was also blackmailed by Russia, and in the end, it had to provide Russia with a loan of 10 million pounds.
A war loan of 250 million francs, equivalent to approximately 10 million pounds, was provided. After obtaining this war loan, a large number of Russian troops boarded the train to the Far East.
Germany watched all this quietly, but they kept a close eye on the British Home Fleet. If the British Home Fleet showed signs of heading to the Far East, they would take some actions to hold back part of the British Navy's combat power in order to reduce the pressure on China.
The pressure encountered. Of course, Germany also hopes to see Britain and China lose both sides, and they will not do their best to help China.
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