When Secretary of State Bryan arrived at White House, the Cabinet members were almost there. President Woodrow Wilson, speaking to Vice President Thomas R Marshall. Obviously, everyone does not know much about the emergency mentioned by Bryan.
"Mr. Bryan, please sit down. What happened?" President Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, British Royal Navy suffered a disastrous defeat yesterday, losing more than ten Capital Ships. Royal Navy has been injured. They have fallen into a disadvantage in the confrontation with the Germany people." Secretary of State Bryan said.
"What? How is this possible?"
"How could Royal Navy lose to the Germany people? They are the strongest navy in the world!"
"Mr. Bryan, are you kidding me? How could Royal Navy lose to Germany?" Secretary of the Navy Joseph asked? Daniels. He has always been somewhat complacent about American Navy being ranked third in the world. But now, German Navy has actually completed the counterattack, which undoubtedly has a great impact on his concept. Once Royal Navy is really defeated, then German Navy will be number one in the world. American Navy is absolutely impossible to compare with German Navy.
"Mr. Daniels, I am not joking. In fact, British Ambassador just left my office. The proud Anglo-Saxons have lowered their noble disclosure and asked United States to support them. It is best to join their camp and fight against the Germany people." Secretary of State Bryan said.
"God! The world is changing too fast. Those proud Britain people would actually bow to us. Haven't they always regarded us as nouveau riche? I never thought that Britain people would actually have such a day!" Vice President Marshall laughed.
The other members of American cabinet also laughed, and the current situation of Britain made them very happy.
"Gentlemen, please stop laughing. Britain people can't hold on anymore so quickly. This is probably not a good thing for United States of America. Let's think about it, what should we do next? Only in this way can United States of America get the maximum benefit." President Wilson said. He has always regarded this war as a good opportunity to expand United States's influence. With the help of World War, making huge war fortunes will not only bring United States's economy to a higher level, but also greatly weaken the strength of Europe powers. In this case, United States may take the opportunity to rise, or even replace Britain, and become the world's hegemon.
However, now that the war has only started for more than a month, the Britain people can no longer hold on. This is completely beyond President Wilson's expectations. Germany's strength in this war seemed to be too strong. Once Germany wins the war, I'm afraid it will definitely not be a good thing for United States of America. In that case, United States will only be able to shrink from American continent, and will no longer be able to compete for the throne of world hegemony. This is absolutely unacceptable to President Wilson.
Cabinet members immediately shut up. As President Wilson said, Germany people won the war, which is not a good thing for United States.
"Your Excellency, the longer this war goes on, the better it is for us. If the Europe great powers can fight to the death in this war, then they will have to give up the leadership of the world. In this case, we will easily gain the leadership of the world." Secretary of War Lindley M. Garrison said.
"Of course we hope that this war will last as long as possible. In this case, we can sell more war materials to both warring parties. But unfortunately, everything does not seem to be developing in the direction we want!" Secretary of the Treasury William Gibbs? McAdoo said.
The current situation is indeed a bit tricky for United States. They don't want to see Germany win the war, but if they want to join the war personally, they are not willing.
"Minister Daniels, if American Navy and British Navy join forces, can we defeat the Germany people?" President Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, we don't know the specific strength of German Navy. However, even the Britain people were easily defeated. So, it can be seen that the strength of German Navy is undoubtedly very powerful. Now, American Navy only has ten dreadnoughts. Although four more are under construction, they will not be put into service soon. Other His Battleship are all Pre-dreadnought. The naval battle has proved that those Pre-dreadnought have long been outdated. If we join the war, even if we join forces with British Navy, it is estimated that it will be difficult to defeat the Germany people. At best, it will be a tie." Minister Daniels said.
President Wilson's face suddenly didn't look good. This result was somewhat unacceptable to him.
"Could it be that we really can't stop the Germany people from winning this war?" President Wilson asked,
"Your Excellency, I think the words of the Britain people may be a bit exaggerated. Although they have lost more than ten Capital Shipss, this is certainly a heavy blow to Royal Navy. But it is too exaggerated to say that Royal Navy has no power to fight back at all. According to the news we have received, Royal Navy has ten super Battleship equipped with 381mm Main Gun, and it is estimated that they will be in service next year. Therefore, Royal Navy should still be able to fight." Minister Daniels said.
"Then what do Britain people mean? Are they deliberately deceiving us in order to drag us into their camp?" Secretary of State Bryan said.
"The Britain people didn't count to deceive us! I think the Germany people were too strong, which made Royal Navy have no confidence in the future war. That's why they couldn't wait to get our support and dragged us into the war." Minister Daniels analyzed.
President Wilson nodded, thinking that Minister Daniels's analysis was quite reliable.
"Gentlemen, should we join the war now? Should we join Allied Powers's camp to fight against Allied Powers?" President Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, it would be too early to join the war now. The situation is not yet clear. Although we cannot let the Germany people win the war, United States of America cannot easily get involved in the war." Secretary of War Garrison said.