Before the meeting was held in the Oval Office in the West Chamber of the White House, in the presidential office, Franklin Delano Roosevelt on a wheelchair had just finished smoking a camel cigarette. He was taking off his nose glasses, rubbing the lenses with a white handkerchief in his chest pocket, and then putting it on. On his desk was a memorandum of the Sino-Japanese Joint Fleet, which was submitted by the Naval Operations Department at the beginning of the year, mainly describing the aircraft carriers of the Sino-Japanese Navy.

According to the Washington Naval Disarmament Treaty, China abandoned the tonnage of battleships and retained six aircraft carriers of 160,000 tons, while Japan owns 81,000 tons. Now all of these tonnages have been used up. The last aircraft carrier Canglong was launched last year and was completed about a year later and soon put into service. In this way, China and Japan have a total of ten aircraft carriers of all sizes, while the US Navy has only six aircraft carriers under the Treaty restrictions. At the same time, these six aircraft carriers are also divided into two oceans.

In the description of this memorandum, the only advantage that the Sino-Japanese Joint Fleet has over the US Navy is aircraft carriers, so the Navy strongly demands that it be added to six to eight aircraft carriers; if China and Japan also build new aircraft carriers, then the United States should build ships with twice the tonnage until China and Japan dissolve their alliance and arrive at the negotiating table.

Roosevelt had read this memorandum for a long time. From his personal perspective, especially from the perspective of the Assistant Minister of the Admiralty, it is indeed necessary to adopt a new, 1o:5 naval tonnage ratio to make China and Japan completely surrender. The Pacific Ocean can only be the back garden of the United States, not the Atlantic Ocean that shares sea power with Britain. This is an important guarantee for Western liberal democracy. Otherwise, the evil and evil alliance of Asia will sweep the entire civilized world like the Mongols.

But it is extremely difficult to do this. There is a strong and powerful dictatorial leader across the ocean. He is extremely clever in running an evil alliance. From the Pacific Ocean to the Persian Gulf, to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, the entire alliance lies like an ugly toad on the ancient Asian Great Six; he is friendly with the red Bolshevik Russia, has good friends with the British, French and Dutch colonists, and has maintained friendship with the entire civilized world but does not agree with democracy and freedom. He studied Western science but stubbornly believed in **** and paganism.

Their economy is developing rapidly, and technology is advancing rapidly. The whole world is full of novel Chinese goods, from diodes, tungsten wires, fluorescent lights, radios, recorders, TVs, household appliances, zippers, stainless steel, bulldozers, tanks, all-metal passenger aircraft, containers, synthetic ammonia, ddt, hybrid rice, and all kinds of magical "plastics", even the folding wheelchair under one's butt is also known by the Chinese. Even the most optimistic people have to admit that China was the United States of the 19th century. The second half of the 20th century will be the Chinese century.

"Mr. President, everyone is here." Harry Hopkins, who had just replaced the deceased Louis Howe as Secretary General of the White House, came in and told him. When the president smiled and nodded, Hopkins said again: "Mr. President, I think you should listen. The shooting down incident is being broadcast on the radio."

Fireside talk is an important way for the president to directly convey policies to the public in order to gain direct support. Because of this, CBS founded a special talk show, and some influential experts were invited to radio stations to talk. The popular incident of the Chinese Navy shooting down the United States aircraft soon appeared in the talk show.

"Of course." Roosevelt nodded, and he took out the cigarette box again, inserted a camel cigarette into an exquisite cigarette holder with his slender fingers, and then started sucking beautifully.

"Yes, this is a serious violation of international law," as Hopkins twisted the frequency modulation button, and the squeaking current sounds. The sound in the broadcast gradually became clear, and the voice of the speech was as powerful as a soldier. "According to international law, on the high seas, ships and aircraft of the United States have the power to pass freely. If the Chinese were to practice, they could be within their own territorial waters, and there would definitely be no United States aircraft passing over their fleets."

"But now China defends the reason for shooting down is that the United States planes do not listen to advice." Another voice sounded, this was the host.

"Bad! They must do this to shirk their responsibilities. This is their usual trick." The soldier's voice said: "Our biggest mistake was that at the Washington Conference fourteen years ago, we signed the Washington Navy Treaty by default at the China-Japan-Korea Alliance. This is very wrong. This mistake led to today's East Asian Alliance.

From this shooting down, it can be seen that the East Asian Alliance is completely similar to the German-Austrian alliance before the European War. The monarchs of the three countries have signed the war covenant. There is a lot of evidence that they are preparing for a war across the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii, the Panama Canal and the entire west coast have become very unsafe."

"But I think there may be a possibility of communication easing between the two sides, after all, China, Japan and North Korea still abide by international treaties."

"No. You can't communicate with a country that doesn't believe in God!" The soldier's voice said decisively. "According to past experience, what can really stop them is machine guns and cannons, not treaties or anything else. But what is extremely disappointing is that many people are being deceived by them and do not feel the danger of being close at hand. This shooting down incident is actually God's reminder to us: Since the Chinese can shoot down our planes in the South Pacific, they can completely attack Hawaii and the entire West Coast."

Roosevelt laughed when he heard this. It was obviously military expenditure. Of course, he was happy that the people would hear such information, especially at the moment when the effectiveness of the first new policy was weakened and the number of unemployed people increased again.

In the oval conference room, Secretary of State Cordelhull, Minister of War George Dern, Secretary of Navy Clinderswanson, Minister of Navy Operations William Harrison Standley, and Asian affairs expert Stanley Hornbeck had been waiting for a long time. The theme of this meeting was actually the shooting down incident in the South Pacific. At this time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry had already made a statement and expressed great regret on the matter. However, because it insisted that the United States Navy aircraft should not rush into the fleet without regard for warnings and obstructions, although it agreed to compensate for the losses, it was reluctant to publicly apologize to the United States for the incident and especially opposed severe punishment of the relevant officers. It is estimated that they were subconsciously worried that once this was handled, the United States Navy aircraft would rush over the Chinese fleet in the future.

After a brief greeting, Secretary of State Cordelhull began the meeting, saying: "Mr. President, the Chinese government still believes that the responsibility for the incident is caused by the naval aircraft forcibly breaking into the fleet regardless of warnings. Although they expressed regret and reluctantly agreed to apologize, they firmly disagree with severe punishment of the murderer."

"Then we should make some responses." Roosevelt put down the cigarette he had smoked and immediately interrupted Hull's words. "There is a sign of the US Navy on the plane. Sinking the plane is equivalent to declaring war. Isn't it, gentlemen?"

"You are completely correct, Mr. President!" The old Navy Secretary Swanson had not spoken yet, and Naval Operations Minister Standley immediately agreed. He completely opposed domestic isolationism and looked down on the Minister of War, which was actually the Minister of the 6th Army's compromise with China and Japan. He believed that America should indeed teach those yellow-skinned monkeys a lesson. "The Atlantic Fleet and the Pacific Fleet should immediately enter Hawaii and hold exercises outside the Philippines; at the same time, the second Calvinson Act should be passed to ensure the absolute advantage of the Navy in the Pacific direction."

Standley was indeed a bit domineering within the Navy, and Roosevelt prefers Ernestkin and William Leach, so he wanted to remove him from the position of Minister of Operations very early. However, this time Standley was tough and in line with his wishes, he nodded at this, and then looked at others to consult their opinions.

"The Senate and Congress will definitely oppose doing this." War Minister Dern mentioned the Congress and the Senate unsurprisingly. Although he was the Minister of War, he also opposed the neutral bill passed last year, but he has always been a border worker in the cabinet and the 6th Army. Instead, he cooperated happily with the 6th Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur on public works, water conservancy, dams, and engineering construction involving the 6th Army. It can be said that his opinions are equal to no.

"The Senate is indeed an obstacle." Taking George Dern's words, Secretary of State Hull also put down his original draft and began to discuss the handling of the matter. "But I think if things continue to creep, the people will actively support the tough attitude, at least. Congress will have to agree to the Second Naval Act. Public opinion has already blamed Congress for being too stingy to make the Navy's aircraft lag far behind China and Japan."

"What would happen if the Navy fought with the Sino-Japanese Joint Fleet tomorrow?" Roosevelt's thinking has always been a irlogical jump, and people with slower minds can't keep up with the pace of his thinking. Fortunately, it was not the first time that officials were in a meeting. Navy Secretary Swanson said: "Mr. President, if the war was initiated by China and Japan, the key to victory or defeat is whether the fleet located in Hawaii can withstand their sneak attacks. Although the tonnage of the main naval battleship is more than that of the Sino-Japanese fleet, it belongs to two oceans. Once a war breaks out, we will need several months to gather and prepare for the war."

"The Philippines is too close to China. Even if General MacArthur is confident, I think the Philippines will find it difficult to defend." War Minister Dern once again expressed his pessimistic argument. "Maybe, the areas west of Hawaii, including but not limited to Guam, Midway, and Wake Island, these islands will be lost in a few months before the war begins. Mr. President, we should build Hawaii's fortifications on a large scale again to give us time to assemble the fleet and the 6th Army troops to fight back. This is urgent. In addition, new aircraft, new tanks, new trucks, semi-automatic rifles, modern artillery, and a unified procurement system are particularly important to the 6th Army. We must first convince Congress to allocate large funds to prepare for war."

"Mr. President. Public opinion will be against us." Secretary of State Hull immediately made a judgment.

"Mr. President, Orientals have always been kingly polite. This behavior will make China and Japan feel like they are the embodiment of justice." Stanley Hornbeck, an expert on Asian affairs, said. "This will also allow the colonial people enslaved by European countries to surrender to East Asia. There are also blacks, Mr. President, Abyssinia is the only nominal independent country in Africa. If China, Japan and North Korea really do this, then blacks in the country will be full of favor. Now many blacks have volunteered to go to Africa to help Abyssinia resist Italy."

"Mr. President, this is just the Chinese and Japanese navies running in for war. Just like military exercises are being held now, they are preparing for war." Naval Operations Minister Standley also gave his own explanation.

He glanced at Standley in agreement, and Roosevelt asked in confusion: "Does Britain and France agree to them do this? Abyssinia is in East Africa and is close to the Suez Canal."

"Mr. President, I think as long as the Chinese and Japanese fleets do not pass through the Suez Canal, Britain has no sufficient reason to oppose them. After all, public opinion around the world will condemn Italy and praise China and Japan." Hull said helplessly. Undoubtedly, China and Japan have the initiative in public opinion. "As long as they stop Italy from being trapped in Abyssinia."

"What can we do?" Roosevelt understood the influence of this matter. The reason why Abyssinia was able to be independent was that the country had no resources and the valuable areas had been divided by Britain and France. Now China and Japan are sending troops in the name of the League of Nations, so they naturally want to clear their voices. This is very unfavorable to the United States. Professor Saiya Bauman, the War and Peace Research Group of the Diplomatic Association and also the consultant, once said that with another ten years, the United States will completely withdraw from Asia and the Pacific in the foreseeable future.

Now China and Japan are trying to establish a positive image for themselves by aiding Abyssinia. The vast majority of Republicans in Congress and Democrats in the western region will praise China and Japan for maintaining world peace, as well as churches, women's organizations, and college students will also believe that the Chinese and Japanese navies are not threats from the United States.

The problem seemed to be more difficult than the shooting down incident. Roosevelt frowned and lit the cigarette again. While thinking, he waited to sit down and took out a practical case, but the one sitting was not an adviser after all. After a while, Secretary of State Hull said: "Mr. President, I think we should hold a larger meeting to determine how to deal with the new situation." After he said that, he looked at the Secretary of Naval Operations and the Secretary of War who were reluctant to speak and said: "Of course, it is certain to ask Congress to increase the allocation to the army. After today's meeting minutes are sorted out, it will be sent to the Senate House Armed Services Committee for discussion."

Hull said this, and everyone was relieved while sitting. He hurried over to have a meeting. Didn’t it all come for funding?

"The devil is becoming more and more cunning." After everyone left, Roosevelt, who came to the office, said to his secretary Hopkins. "According to the Bureau of Investigation, over the years, huge funds from unknown sources have been funding those anti-war peace groups. I think it is the same as the gold smuggling case back then. It is unrelated to the Chinese."

The first thing Roosevelt did when he took office as president was that he announced a ban on gold exports, and then passed legislation to ban private ownership of gold, otherwise he would be sentenced to a felony. Against this background, a gold smuggling frenzy in China was launched, and some people spent a large amount of gold nationwide at a price of more than 20.67 US dollars per ounce. According to the FBI, the gold smuggled abroad exceeded 1,000 tons, and all disappeared mysteriously in California. The Navy used more than a dozen cruisers and dozens of destroyers at the time, but failed to intercept the smuggling ships transporting gold. The only gain was to catch an injured Chinese smuggler.

"But we have no evidence." Hopkins sat opposite Roosevelt, understanding that the president was not an isolationist, but because of his recognition at the time of the election and the anti-war situation at home, he had to agree with the neutrality bill.

"Harry, I feel that everything is a Chinese calculation." Roosevelt shook his head and smiled bitterly. "They understand us, know what our people and parliamentarians like to hear and what they don't like to hear, so they can always aggravate our isolationist sentiment. If this situation continues, as Professor Bauman said, in just ten years, the East Asian League will be unshakable, and the United States will lose Asia forever and the entire civilized world."

Hearing the president talking about Professor Bowman's views, Hopkins was a little unanimous. Even though Professor Bowman is the president of Hopkins University and the president of the American Geographic Society, his remarks are always a bit absolute. "Mr. President, I think Professor Bowman's estimate is too optimistic. If China wants to catch up with the United States, it will take at least thirty years."

"But just like the Japanese have always hoped that the ratio of naval battleships will reach 10:7. If they fight with China and Japan ten years later, the United States will not be able to bear the losses caused by the war." Roosevelt said his judgment and his eyes were firm. "Although Europe and Germany are also re-arming themselves, the most threatening thing compared to Europe is actually Asia."

As the closest aide, Hopkins can always find the most critical core from the messy situation. This is why the president trusts him instead of Secretary of State Hull. The president does not like to chatter about professional diplomats. He likes himself rather than mastering diplomacy.

Just as Hopkins was thinking about how to respond, Roosevelt said again: "Harry, I hope you can go to Russia. Understand Stalin's perception of China and Japan, and analyze what he would do if China and Japan had a war with the United States."

Unexpectedly, the president gave him this task. Although he was surprised, the decisive Hopkins nodded and said, "When will I go?"

"At the latest next month, aren't the Russians going to buy machines? We can lift some restrictions for them to buy," Roosevelt thought. "We can even lend them a certain amount of loans to them to buy some military supplies and restricted equipment and supplies."

"I understand completely." Hopkins nodded again.

"Remember, as my private envoy, it is unofficial and must be kept confidential." Roosevelt finally reminded. (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!