Chapter 505 Capture 2

On April 11, 1913, Honolulu.

Seventy nautical miles northwest of Nihao Island, the slender frigate Maui jumped out of the sea level.

Standing in the high bridge, Tan Renguang kept searching around with binoculars. In fact, it was not only him, but also the lookouts at the observation points on the deck were looking around wary.

The reason why everyone is particularly vigilant today is that after nearly ten years, the army will return to Honolulu again. In order to protect the safety of the fleet, the Coast Guard sent ten frigates of the same type to search for threats around.

Maui frigate is a newly established warship of the Xinhua Empire. As the name implies, this warship is mainly used to protect overseas territories, patrol waterways, combat smuggling, etc., so it belongs to the strong Imperial Royal Coast Guard and belongs to the reserve.

This is a patrol ship that has been built in large quantities since three years ago. Due to the large number of batches, both the Prime Minister's Office and the Parliament required strict control of costs at that time. For this reason, the design department revised the design many times.

Unlike the navy armed to the teeth, on this small warship with a displacement of 1,000 tons, there is only a single-blin 76mm rapid-fire gun, two 37mm double machine guns and four single-blint 12.7mm machine guns. However, when it was designed, it reserved deep-water bombs and mined rails.

There is no armor, no torpedo and other weapons. In terms of power, it also gives up the expensive turbocharged boiler, but uses the most common small water pipe fuel boiler and two small steam turbines with gear gearboxes. However, because of the shallow water and the slender hull, it can still reach the fastest speed of 23 knots. More importantly, this Small warships have a range of up to 10 knots/3000 nautical miles.

However, this kind of single chimney small frigate is not without highlights. The slender hull, which is different from the navy's standard lead-gray coating of blue and white stripes, makes it look very beautiful, and its largest and latest technology is that it is much taller than the destroyer single bridge design, which not only makes the patrol personnel The vision has just been broadened, and the whole bridge is made of cheaper aluminum alloy, which not only reduces the weight, but also saves 10,000 blue coins.

Because of the cost savings, the navy has also been able to equip each Osprey seaplane, so that the coastal patrol team really has the ability of over-the-sight detection and tracking. In escort and patrol missions, the efficiency is more than 10 times that of the current small torpedo ships in European countries.

In the end, after the success of this frigate with a blue cost of only 500,000 blue coins was successful after the sea test, the Ministry of National Defense ordered the first batch of 24 ships. At present, the construction of the second batch of 24 ships has started. Because it is the construction of six major domestic civil shipyards, it not only drives the development of the shipbuilding industry, but also makes the technology of the civil shipyard very large. Upgrading.

Of course, these Tan Renguang didn't know. They happened to meet their cousin when they came home to visit their relatives during the Spring Festival last year. Now Tan Sitong, the judge of Xinhua Reading Power, learned from him.

However, he knows the benefits of this kind of frigate, because it takes over the navy's offshore patrol tasks, so the main force of the navy does not need to build too many more expensive destroyers to escort, and can concentrate on the construction of war and ocean protection.

Although the fleet will certainly be protected by destroyers and cruisers, Tan Renguang and his partners are still conscientious and meticulous, because the coast guard is a second-line force of the navy, which belongs to the reserve and faces the possibility of being transferred to the naval combat unit at any time, which is more necessary. Rely on your usual escort to polish yourself.

Half an hour later, a "dark cloud" appeared on the day. Two ospreys quickly flew over the Maui deck and looked at these naval pilots soaring in the blue sky. The coast guard sailors on the deck waved their arms vigorously.

Soon, a huge fleet appeared on the sea. Even Tan Renguang, who was used to the majestic posture of the First Fleet, was still stunned. He only saw more than 60 ships, large and small, scattered on the sea, especially the twelve rolling wheels in the middle with a displacement of tens of thousands of tons. Usually, one or two I was surprised when I got there. I didn't expect to see so much this time.

When the little Maui staggered with the fleet, Tan Renguang immediately ordered three whistles, and at the same time walked to the hatch to salute the other party.

"Woo-woo~."

All the ships were noisy with three whistles. At that moment, all the admirals and coast guard sailors greeted each other. Although there was no language communication, although there was no sound, it was the courtesy of the navy, the tradition of the navy, and the highest respect of every sailor to those partners who had been away for a long time.

Only when you see these majestic warships passing by can you understand how important the Chinese people living overseas in the strong years of the motherland are! It was not until he saw the fleet leave that Tan Renguang led the Maui to the farther deep blue, and the sea border of the motherland still needed to be guarded by them--

In the presidential palace of the White House, he sat in the office and looked at the naval report. President Wilson, who had just been sworn in, rubbed his swollen forehead. After the joy of winning the election, he faced a mess left by Taft.

The economy is still growing, but the speed is much slower. The run crisis a few years ago deeply hurt the United States. For the next two consecutive years, the U.S. economy has maintained a very low growth rate, and even experienced negative growth.

After surviving that period of time, the upcoming Atlantic competition brought hidden dangers again. Although from the current point of view, this competition has brought a large number of employment opportunities to the United States, if the war really starts, then countries will definitely adopt a stricter wartime economic strategy, which will curb consumption growth. This has caused another disaster for exports.

For domestic trusts and arms dealers, this is a pleasant season, but from the overall perspective, this is still a big curse, because the largest export of the United States is not arms but civilian goods, and more importantly, the United States is gradually trapped in it, although on the surface, the rapid expansion of the U.S. Navy is For the imaginary enemy of the Far East, but in fact, the growing Germany and Britain also worried the United States.

No matter who wins the competition in the Atlantic, there will be a super naval hegemon, which is the disaster that the poor interests of the United States in the Atlantic Ocean will be destroyed.

At present, if we want to resolve the emergence of European strong people, we must prolong this doomed war and consume the power of Europe, so that the United States can get enough benefits.

But if there is a quick battle, the United States will face a dilemma that will be permanently compressed on the North American continent.

At present, Britain and the United States are in the honeymoon period, but the British are not out of good intentions. A large amount of loans to the United States is actually a disguised strategy to kidnap the United States. Once the war breaks out, the United States may become the target of the Allies, and after the naval hegemony is under the double pressure of Germany and Xinhua, they will in turn. It greatly promoted relations with the United States and took the initiative to mortgage the colonies in the Pacific Ocean to the United States.

This is a sinister trick, and when Asquith visited the United States last October, he had already discussed with President Taft to pull the United States into the Allies. Fortunately, Taft was facing election pressure at that time and did not agree to such an alliance. He just agreed to help Britain share the pressure in the Pacific Ocean.

Taft, a Republican who has always been actively advocating, was still fascinated by those colonial islands. He not only promised to exchange islands for loans, but also signed an agreement to help Britain maintain stability in the Pacific, which also brought the United States into a whirlpool, although he also believed that the United States should step into peace as soon as possible. Yang, but the cooperation with Britain has undoubtedly stimulated Xinhua and made them more hostile to the United States.

The damn Republicans patted their buttocks and left, but left a lot of trouble for themselves. First, they participated in the world naval competition, leaving a high naval budget accounting for 10% of their annual fiscal revenue, and contributed to a rapid approach to Britain, which made the Pacific Ocean nervous.

Whether it is realistic or external pressure, it is impossible for him to fully veto the policy of approaching Britain, because the United States will face huge European pressure, and it may also lead Britain to go to Xinhua to negotiate, which will make the United States more unable to participate in the ranks of world leaders.

At the thought of the warships covering the coast of the United States, he shook his head and smiled bitterly. Several consecutive Republicans took advantage of external factors to incite domestic racism and push the United States into the most dangerous situation. Although the naval strength has been greatly improved, it is impossible to build a naval power alone. The huge personnel and logistics budget are the things that really consume financial resources.

Sometimes he really envies the one in the Far East. According to intelligence, the proportion of military expenditure in Xinhua's annual fiscal expenditure has been only 2% for five consecutive years, which means that they have only paid soldiers' salaries and ordinary maintenance expenses!

But the problem is that they have built nearly a hundred warships of all kinds in five years with so little military expenditure. I really don't know how they operate. Is it possible that the emperor who is said to be rich enough to buy the whole United States took out his own pocket?

God! This is a huge joke.

President Wilson looked up at his Secretary of the Navy, William Bansen, and his national security adviser, and shook his head: "William, I can't agree to this budget."

"Why?" Benson looked at Wilson and said eagerly, "Mr. President, the latest Hebei-class battleships of the Chinese are eight, not the four they announced before!" In addition, their parliament has passed a bill to increase military spending last month. From now on, they will resume 10% of the annual military budget. They also approved the plan to purchase 12 subsequent Yangtze River-class light cruisers at one time, which means that they will have 32 large light cruisers in two years, and the maritime forces will It's enhanced, so I need more warships!"

"No!"

Wilson stroked his forehead and said with a wry smile, "Banson, including those under construction, we already have 52 capital ships (including fearless, fearless and heavy patrols), and President Taft has approved 10 Omaha-class cruisers similar to those of the Chinese when he was in office, so we already have enough. The warship, do you really want to fight a war of the century?

"But President, the Omaha level is too small. It is not as good as the Chinese Yangtze River level!"

"Banson, I know you are a navy lover, but we can't build warships without restraint. The Chinese build 12 new cruisers because our relationship with Britain has stimulated them, and China's waters are much larger than ours. They need cruisers to protect their interests. In addition, don't forget. In the Far East, Britain, France and Russia have borders and are not friendly to China, so they are more afraid of being affected by Europe, so they will build so many warships, and there are no enemies around us! If we continue to build warships, they will definitely increase again!"

Wilson returned the plan to Benson and said, "We have 52. Even if we put aside 16 old battleships, we still have 36. According to your naval standards, the Chinese, including only 23 known capital ships under construction, of which 3 are semi-retired! So we have gained an advantage and can't continue to build.

"But President, the Chinese people's power technology is very advanced. If we can't get a speed advantage, we must guarantee the quantity." Banson was ready to fight for it again, but he was immediately ignored by Wilson: "Guaranteed quantity? Like the British? If Germany builds one, will they build two?

"God, that will lead to the bankruptcy of the United States!"

Wilson waved his hand, but he didn't want to hit himself too hard as the Secretary of the Navy. He thought for a moment and said, "Banson, I promise you that if we really can't reconcile our conflicts with the Chinese, I will fully support you!"

"But now, I can only do so much."

Hearing that Wilson was so determined, Benson could only sigh: "Okay, Mr. President, then I'm fine."

After saying that, Benson walked out of the president's office. As soon as he left the White House, his aides suddenly rushed to him and shouted, "Mr. Minister, the Chinese have sent 10,000 more troops to Hawaii, and it is said that there will be an additional 50,000!"

"Damn it!" Benson cursed and thought about it. After thinking about it, he was ready to return to the White House to persuade the president, but before he turned around, he was pulled by his assistant. "Wait, one more thing, a Chinese cruiser and another large warship arrived in Buenaventura, Colombia two days ago. We suspect that the Chinese want to pull Colombia."

"What!"

Banson's face changed slightly. He had just sent fleets of weapons to Fiji, Australia and other places to prepare for travel and the British defense of the Pacific Agreement, and the Panama Canal was just opened, and the Chinese arrived in Colombia!

The short advantage just obtained seems to be reversed in a blink of an eye!

"Order Virginia and Georgia to leave for the Gulf of Panama, ask the army when their troops to Panama can leave, and inform our marines in Nicaragua to prepare. If the army is too late, they must leave immediately."

(to be continued)