"Your Excellency, even if we express our support for the Portugal government, in fact, the support we can provide them is still very limited. Therefore, I am afraid it will be difficult to prevent them from selling or leasing Azores to Germany. After all, the threat Germany poses to them is too great. For their safety, they may not be able to Indomitable." United States Secretary of War Garrison said.
Woodrow President Wilson nodded solemnly, knowing that what Minister Garrison was worried about was very likely to happen.
"Everyone, what should we do?" President Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, once the Germany people really occupy Azores, they will directly pose a great threat to us. Therefore, we should do our best to prevent them from occupying Azores." Secretary of the Navy Daniels said.
"Your Excellency, I think that if it has become a foregone conclusion that the Germany people will occupy Azores, can we get ahead of the Germany people and send troops to occupy Where is Azores? I have studied the terrain of Azores, and it will be difficult for the Germany people to occupy it by dispatching a small number of troops." Garrison continued.
"God! Mr. Minister, are you planning to let us go to war with the Germany people? If we send troops to occupy Azores, the Germany people will definitely send troops to attack. By then, we will be involved in a big war. That will be very detrimental to us!" Secretary of State Bryan exclaimed.
"The Germany people are now working hard to digest the fruits of victory after the last World War and the destruction of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They may not necessarily go to war with us. If they want to go to war with us, they launched an attack on us last time when we sent a fleet to the east Atlantic Ocean." Garrison said.
Obviously, this was a fluke. If Germany did not want a large-scale war to break out at this time, he might give up Azores. Of course, this possibility does not exist, but the possibility is relatively small.
"This is too risky! What should we do if Germany attacks Azores?" Woodrow President Wilson said.
"If the Germany people really launch an attack and we can't defend it, the worst we can do is give up Azores. I believe that even if a war breaks out, the scale of the war will definitely be controlled at Azores The Germany people around E will not be stupid enough to attack our homeland. They simply do not have that kind of strength, nor do they have the courage." Minister Garrison said.
Woodrow? President Wilson, seemed moved. After all, although such a plan is a bit risky, if it succeeds, they will be able to gain a bridgehead in the eastern and central part of North Atlantic. It will be relatively easy to attack European continent by then.
"We can consider this plan. If the Germany people really want to occupy Azores, we can try it. However, the prerequisite is that the scale of the war can only be limited to Azores!" Woodrow President Wilson said.
"Yes, Your Excellency, President." Garrison, Daniels and others replied.
After the meeting, US government immediately issued an order to the embassy in Portugal, requiring the ambassador to Portugal to immediately contact the Portugal government, hoping that the Portugal government could refuse to sell or lease Azores to the German Empire.
The United States ambassador to Portugal made an urgent appointment with Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs chief Castro and expressed US government's attitude to him.
"Your Excellency Minister, United States of America hopes that Portuguese Republic can remain neutral in the confrontation between us and Germany, instead of getting involved and providing convenience to Germany. In this case, it will not be of any benefit to the Portugal government!" American Ambassador said.
"Your Excellency Ambassador, we don't want to sell or lease Azores to Germany people, but Germany has exerted strong pressure on us, and we simply can't resist their pressure!" Castro looked innocent.
For Portugal people, it is true that when people sit at home, disaster comes from the sky. They just want to live their own small lives and don't want to get involved in the struggle between big powers. But unfortunately, those big countries seem unwilling to let them go.
"Your Excellency, Minister, you can completely reject the Germany people. In that case, the Germany people will not do anything to you. The Germany people have just established an image of maintaining world peace in front of the whole world. I think they are not willing to slap themselves in the face right away!" American Ambassador said.
Castro's eyes lit up, but he was still a little worried.
"Your Excellency, Minister, if the Portugal government eventually sells or leases Azores to Germany, then it will be an enemy of United States of America. Although Germany is the world's hegemon, United States is not easy to bully. Especially since Germany is now almost an enemy of many major powers. Future wars must be Many major powers unite in the Encirclement Offensive Germany war. By then, Germany may not be able to win. If Portugal gets on the Germany tank, then you should also know what it means if Germany is defeated. "American Ambassador is beginning to threaten Castro.
Castro couldn't help but smile bitterly. This is undoubtedly what the Portugal government is worried about. If this were not the case, they might have sold or leased Azores to Germany.
"Your Excellency Minister, I hope your government can think about it carefully and not make a decision easily. After all, this is related to the future of Portugal." American Ambassador continued.
After sending American Ambassador away, Castro went to the Presidential Palace and reported the situation to President Sidonio Pais.
President Sidonio Pais once again summoned senior officials of the Portugal government to discuss this matter.
It took a whole afternoon for the Portugal government to unify everyone's thinking, that is, to reject Germany's request.
The reason why it dares to do this is that the Portugal government also believes that Germany has just expressed its intention to maintain world peace. If it uses force against Portugal because of this, it will be a slap in the face. What's more, Portugal doesn't want to offend Germany, he just wants to remain neutral and doesn't want to get involved in the confrontation between major powers.
On November 11, 1918, Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief Castro officially represented the Portugal government and rejected Germany's request to buy or lease Azores.