President Wilson Was a Straightforward Man

"Hahahaha! President Wilson, congratulations on striking it rich!"

The instant the call connected, Eitel's words reached President Wilson's ears, accompanied by hearty laughter.

Puzzled, he moved the receiver away and carefully inspected the telephone.

There was nothing wrong with it.

He put the receiver back to his ear and heard Eitel continue.

"Hello? Hello? President Wilson? Why have you gone quiet? Is the signal on transatlantic calls really this bad?"

"Please answer if you can hear me."

Listening to Eitel's voice on the other end, President Wilson's face instantly darkened with exasperation.

"Whatever it is, just get to the point."

"I still have a mountain of government business to handle."

President Wilson said nothing more. He was not someone who enjoyed listening to nonsense.

His term was drawing to a close, and he was still thinking about the election. He really had no energy to spare for wrangling with Eitel.

Besides, he had figured out Eitel's habits. Unless Eitel wanted his help with something, he would never call.

As it happened, President Wilson had indeed guessed why Eitel was calling.

Eitel chuckled twice before saying, "President Wilson, I'm here to discuss business with you again. As you know, those people in England are very unhappy that I sold you the fleet."

"Well, I tried to discuss some business with them, and they turned me down outright."

"I thought it over from every angle, and you're the only person who can support me. Now, you must have heard of our Krupp Company."

At this point, Eitel paused, giving President Wilson time to think.

"I'd like to send some engineers and technical personnel from the Krupp Company to establish a subsidiary jointly with the arms companies in your country, so we can research cutting-edge weapons together."

Before Eitel could finish, President Wilson interrupted him.

"Hold on. I see what you're getting at. You've been working your abacus with me in mind."

"You can't develop weapons in your own country, so you want to come and do it in ours. Do you also want us to provide cover for you?"

Hearing President Wilson speak so bluntly, Eitel replied just as readily, "Talking to a clever man really does make things easy. Exactly. This would benefit both sides."

"We could escape the Allies' blockade and develop the latest weapons, while you could use our technology to bring your weapons up another level."

"After all, everything developed by our German Empire is world-class, and our craftsmanship is the finest in the world."

"And you must understand Britain and France's attitude toward your country. Right now, I alone am America's most loyal ally."

President Wilson listened as Eitel laid out the advantages and disadvantages over the telephone, but made no immediate commitment.

He merely tapped his fingers lightly against the desk, considering it carefully.

Eitel was in no hurry either and quietly waited for President Wilson to speak.

After a long while, President Wilson said, "You're right, but I may not have much energy to devote to this right now. You know our next presidential election is coming up, don't you?"

"As things stand, my chances of reelection aren't great, so I can't promise you anything."

"But I guarantee that I'll do everything I can to make this happen. After all, it does America no harm."

Listening to President Wilson, Eitel recalled the events of this period.

Originally, President Wilson had suffered a stroke after his setback in Congress, and his health had remained poor afterward.

He had left office to rest when his term ended in 1921. Now, however, because of Eitel, although President Wilson had not obtained what he wanted in Congress,

Eitel had given President Wilson considerable hope, so the president was still in robust health.

But there was still a year left in his term. Had he really begun preparing for reelection this early?

Reelection...

Eitel suddenly remembered something.

"President Wilson, you could send someone to investigate the current state of the stock market, the financial sector, and the real economy."

President Wilson raised an eyebrow at Eitel's words. "What do you mean?"

"Just have someone look into it. I believe your opportunity for reelection lies there."

Eitel did not answer Wilson directly, instead leaving him to investigate for himself.

After all, what he saw with his own eyes would be far more convincing than anything Eitel said.

"All right, I'll look into it. If there is a problem, let me thank you in advance."

With that, President Wilson hung up.

After hanging up, Wilson quickly summoned the secretary of state and the treasury secretary, instructing them to investigate the areas Eitel had just mentioned.

Upon hearing President Wilson's orders, the secretary of state and the treasury secretary also realized there was a problem.

After leaving the office, they began investigating the problems in the stock market, the financial sector, and the real economy.

Before long, a thick report lay before President Wilson.

President Wilson leafed through the report page by page, his brow furrowing more deeply the further he read.

By the time he had finished the entire report, President Wilson's face was grave.

"You may leave. I need to make a telephone call."

As soon as President Wilson finished speaking, the secretary of state and the treasury secretary withdrew.

President Wilson lit a cigar, took a puff, and slowly exhaled before standing up and pacing back and forth across the room.

Only when the cigar had burned down to its end did President Wilson stub it out in the ashtray on his desk.

He picked up the telephone on his desk and dialed.

After a few beeps, Eitel answered.

"President Wilson, how did it go?"

Eitel went straight to the point, and President Wilson wasted no words in response.

"Thank you for the warning. Now, what do you want from me?"

"Straightforward! This is exactly why I like doing business with you."

"Please approve the joint military research arrangement we discussed earlier. As for the overcapacity in your country, Germany can export raw materials to you."

"Then we'll take all the finished goods and grain you produce."

Eitel paused at this point.

"Not just us, either. I'll also persuade some countries urgently in need of supplies after the war to import your goods."

"I believe this would greatly alleviate your domestic economic problems."

"Finally, I'd also like to sign a four-year economic alliance agreement with you."

As Eitel finished, Wilson's brow, which had relaxed, furrowed again.

"I can accept everything before that, but this economic alliance agreement..."

"I'm afraid that might not be appropriate."

Eitel chuckled softly.

"Look at Europe right now. Who else is there for you to work with? Trust me, you certainly won't lose money by working with me."

At this point, the two had little more to discuss.

After thinking for a while, Wilson replied to Eitel, "I still need to discuss this with my cabinet. Please wait for my response."

"And thank you again for the warning. I'll do everything I can to help bring this agreement about."

"Then I'll wait and see, Mr. President."