Chapter 195 Dispute

"Crazy!"

A sentence came out of Roosevelt's mouth. While he was speaking, he threw the electric newspaper on the table.

"The Chinese arrogantly believe that they have won a complete victory, so they want to..."

Looking at the electronic newspaper again, Roosevelt couldn't help admiring that the Chinese could come up with such harsh peace conditions.

"We are going to completely destroy the Japanese version."

Then Roosevelt, who looked contemptuous, continued, "If we really hand over the condition offered by the Chinese to me, how will I react to this?"

"I can guarantee a little,"

Secretary of State Elihue? Rut Lang said.

"I will definitely tear up all this, and then prepare to fight with the Chinese people at all costs. They would rather die all over the country than accept this condition!"

Then, Elihu? Root laughed again, but there was a trace of sarcasm in the laughter.

"Whether the cession of territory or the amount of compensation issued by the Chinese people is more than any war in human history, whether it is the cession of the four countries, Kyushu, South Sakhalin, or the compensation of 15 billion gold yuan, this is equivalent to 7 billion US dollars, nearly 1.6 billion pounds of compensation, which is equivalent to the 7 years of Japan. Gross national product, which has undoubtedly created a precedent for huge war reparations!"

In Elihu? In Root's view, the conditions put forward by the Chinese are simply delusions. This kind of cession of land and compensation aimed at destroying a country cannot be accepted by any country.

"So, Chinese people are not only arrogant, they don't even know how much compensation they should ask for, which is the most reasonable, and it is also the most beneficial to China!"

Pulled him and pointed out another one of them.

"Look at this article again, the tonnage of the navy is limited to 50,000 tons. Is it possible for me to accept this article? There is also the opening of Tokyo Bay to various countries and the establishment of Chinese concessions in Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo, which is undoubtedly a humiliation for Japan. Any slightly rational diplomat understands that these conditions are simply delusions. I think that to some extent, the Chinese want to use the lion to open their mouths to prevent us from it. Mocking, instead of rejecting us directly!"

"Why did they do this?"

Vice President Charles? W? Fairbanks asked back at the right time.

"Yes, for the Chinese, the great victory at sea now, through the mediation of various countries to end the war, can minimize their military expenditure, at the same time get a considerable amount of compensation, and at the same time, they can expand their territory, but why do they refuse us?"

Taft, as the Minister of War, took over Fairbanks' words.

"Unless they don't want to end the war at all!"

Suddenly, Fairbanks said as if he suddenly realized.

"You mean that, just like last year I proposed the conditions of peace that the Russians could not accept, their purpose is not to end the war at all, but to let the war continue?"

After asking, Roosevelt frowned at the same time. After the fall of Lushun last year, I sent a signal to Japan to mediate the war, but I offered a condition for a Russian to refuse without even thinking about it. In the end, Russia lost the last pair of trousers, and that was the purpose of Japan. What about now? What is the purpose of the Chinese people?

"Why do they want the war to continue? Whether they use force to enter North Korea or not, they can be sure that even they understand that the Chinese will definitely demand North Korea and Ryukyu. They don't need to use force to enter North Korea at all, they just need to..."

"What if it is native?"

Secretary of the Navy Charles? Joseph? After a long silence, Bonaphal suddenly opened his mouth as if he had a realization.

"According to the information we have so far, after the end of the Russian War last year, Japan's human resources were actually nearly exhausted, with nearly 600,000 people killed or disabled. In fact, the reason why Japan chose naval warfare as a breakthrough point was to avoid land warfare, not that the Chinese army was more powerful. But now the Japanese army is no longer the elite army before the war. The blood of the Japanese army has been drained during the Russian War and the Sino-Japanese conflict. Now, the vast majority of Japanese army troops are concentrated in North Korea. In the Japanese mainland, there are only five divisions. Their equipment is very old and stationed. The embassy once mentioned that Japanese had begun to recruit college students into the army, and the weapons they used were old-style rifles during the Qing Dynasty. They were seriously short of weapons. Not only were there serious shortages of artillery, but also rifles could not meet their needs. At the same time, the Chinese also cut off their maritime trade, which was even more serious. It can be said that the whole island has opened its doors to the [***] team.

In Charles? Joseph? When Bonapharm said this, everyone fell into silence, and it was not until then that they realized the seriousness of the problem.

"Do you mean that the Chinese have no intention to end the war through peace talks?"

With a frown, Roosevelt asked Charles? Joseph? Bonapbat, at this time, he was also thinking about this possible surname in his heart. If he thought so, he could indeed explain some problems.

"Mr. President, although we don't know much about the Chinese people, whether it is the Chinese emperor himself or their ministers, there is no lack of reason and flexibility. As early as the period of temporary political axe, when facing foreign problems, their majesty showed a quite flexible surname. He is good at compromise. He is good at using the contradictions and differences in interests between countries to achieve his own goals, so as to maximize his own interests, but this time, his performance is very abnormal!"

Charles? Joseph? As soon as Bonapbat's words fell, Elihu? Root nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, the Chinese emperor is very good at using the conflict of interests of other countries to protect his own interests. This time, his performance is indeed very abnormal. According to his past, he should now make full use of us and the Germans to offset the influence of Britain in future negotiations, so as to achieve His own purpose, but judging from his surname of being good at mastering the ultimate bottom line of each country and profiting from it, it is impossible for him to open up this peace condition aimed at destroying the Japanese book, unless, "

"Unless destruction is his ultimate goal!"

Taft nodded in agreement and said.

"So, why is he so eager for war? This is not in line with China's interests. At least for China, the occupation is definitely a loss-making business for China, and for their fierce resistance, they need to pay huge war expenses, which may even drag down China's economy!"

Roosevelt shook his head. He did not agree with this view. In his opinion, the Chinese still lacked the conditions for expansion, especially the ideological change of the country.

"It's impossible for the Chinese to take this risk. I know them. They don't have much will to expand at all!"

"Mr. President, if 35 years ago, if the Germans realized that France today was still one of Germany's most powerful enemies, and united with the British to form an agreement against Germany, would Bismarck choose to completely occupy France instead of just asking for compensation 35 years ago? What about the money and the cession of land?

Elihu? While pondering, Root chose Germany as the most obvious example.

"Chen Moran has been growing up in Europe. Naturally, he knew about the Franco-Prussian War. He also knew that Bismarck's biggest mistake was to squeeze France too much, but he did not squeeze France. As a result, now, Germany has to face threats from France and Britain. Compared with squeezing a country, he occupies a country. It is more feasible to squeeze out a country and humiliate its will. This is just to add an enemy to China, but if they can completely occupy Japan, then Japan will never threaten China's interests!"

"Moreover, in Asia, in the next few decades, only Japan is likely to challenge China!"

Tave dislocation and Elihue? Root expressed his views.

"Japanese is the only country in Asia that is likely to surpass China. For the sake of China's future security, occupation should be the most appropriate choice. Especially in the face of a Japanese that is almost naked, it is difficult for Chinese people to control their ambitions. Occupying Japanese can make them get rid of the current Germany. Compared with the situation, such a huge amount of military expenditure on war is acceptable!"

The opinions of several people made Roosevelt fall into silence. He put his elbows on the table and his eyes were staring. After contemplating for a long time, he continued to ask.

"Do you think this is possible?"

At this time, Roosevelt seemed a little hesitant. It was hard for him to imagine that in this era, one country would occupy another country. In this era of industrial development and nationalism, it was very difficult to occupy a country. Britain's attack on a group of peasants was still hit hard, not to mention that China's occupation of something like Japan. The country.

"There is only one possibility to explain the conditions offered by the Chinese now. Perhaps, their purpose is here."

Fairbanks nodded.

"Their purpose is to let the Japanese take the initiative to refuse us, so yesterday, Minister Liang revealed a wrong signal to us. He said that all of this could be negotiated. In fact, the ultimate purpose should be to let us convey this information to the Japanese, so that the Japanese would take the initiative to reject this. The conditions will pave the way for their next occupation of Japan.

"If that's the case, we have to take it seriously!"

Roosevelt continued after thinking for a moment.

"It is certain that in any case, the demise of Japan is a disaster for the United States. At least for the balance of the Far East, Japan is a very important link and the only country that has the ability to balance China in the future!"

When he said this, he paused again and thought for a while.

"What will happen if we support the conditions proposed by the Chinese?"

A rhetorical question stunned everyone in the elliptic office. After thinking for a moment, Taft answered first.

"In that case, it is also a disaster. If the amount of compensation cannot be maintained within an appropriate limit, but far exceeds the range that the Japanese political axe can bear, it will cause excessive financial pressure on the Japanese political axe. It is likely to lead to the collapse of the Japanese political axe, which is also not in the interests of the United States in the Far East.

"Whether it is to cede a large area of land or 15 billion yuan of compensation, it may lead to the collapse of Japan's political axe. If Japan accepts such conditions, then they are tantamount to China, which is equivalent to giving up the country. Judging from their surname, they may accept these conditions. There is almost no possibility of surname!"

Fairbanks said seriously, and then he thought for a moment.

"So, for us now, it can be said that unless we are prepared to intervene in the conflict between China and Japan by force, whether we reject this peace condition or accept it, there will be a side in the Far East that is extremely unfavorable to the United States."

"For the sake of Japan, intervene by force?"

Taft received it almost immediately.

"Is it possible for Congress to approve it? Do you mean that we are going to declare war on China? This is the most absurd advice I've ever heard!"

"I just proposed a..."

"Is it an idea? For your idea, shall we let our fleet bypass the Strait of Magellan and then go thousands of miles away to become the Second Pacific Fleet?

Then Taft continued.

"Mr. President, I think the only thing we should do now is to play the role of mediate and transfer the conditions offered by the Chinese to the Japanese. As for whether I accept it or not, it is my own business. We, at most, we should play our role in the negotiations and do everything we can. Maybe, lower the requirements of the Chinese people..."

"How much can it be lowered?"

Fairbanks immediately retorted.

"Well, let the Chinese want one less island, maybe, maybe there is such a possibility, well, let the Chinese reduce the total amount of compensation, 15 billion, okay, maybe the Chinese will generously reduce it by more than one billion, but the rest is still impossible for Japan to bear, and it is also impossible to accept, if they accept it. Their political axe will collapse, and in the next few decades, there will be no power to balance China..."

"At least it still exists, which is more beneficial than the complete demise of a country. When the French lost the Franco-Prussian War, the whole world thought that France would definitely decline from then on, but who would have thought that France would rise again more than ten years later? Compared with China, Japan has the advantage of Japan. The advantage of Japan is that it has studied from Europe and the United States for decades, and they will soon recover..."

Listening to their argument, Roosevelt rubbed his forehead with a headache, and everyone was always arguing like this.

"Maybe we can transfer the issue of compensation to the award of the International Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague, just like on the issue of compensation in China five years ago, we also..."

Charles who has not been involved in the debate? Joseph? Bonapbat finally put forward his own suggestion in the dispute.

"This is a good idea!"

When Roosevelt first came up with this idea in his mind, Taft said with a sacred face.

"Yes, five years ago, Rou Keyi transferred the issue of compensation to the Hague International Arbitration Court for adjudication. However, the ruling of the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague was to support the seven powers. At that time, we made such a mistake. If we did so, it would undoubtedly legalize China's compensation claims, and in the end there was not even a trace of room for maneuvering!"

"That's because of the requirements of the seven countries. It is impossible for the International Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague to refuse the requirements of the seven major countries!"

"If China shows European countries that they are willing to use compensation to buy huge amounts of industrial machinery from them, are those countries likely to refuse to help the Chinese? If China expresses its willingness to buy billions of dollars of machinery and equipment and ships from the United States, and we still refuse to support the demands of the Chinese people, then industry can lift the roof of the White House!"

Finally, Taft continued.

"Mr. President, what is the purpose of our involvement in this negotiation?"

Within waiting for Roosevelt to answer his question, Taft continued.

"Of course, it is for peace in Asia, but now, the requirements of the Chinese have put the United States in a dilemma. Whether it is to promote this peace or let the development go on, it is not in line with the interests of the United States in Asia, but..."

While Taft was talking, he took out the document made of a telegram from Yirou Keyi and turned to one of the pages.

"H.S. Liang Dunyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, when putting forward the conditions, he especially emphasized "Your Excellency Ambassador, this is just a condition we put forward!" In the meantime, he specially emphasized the word "proposed", which was obviously intended to convey a signal to the United Kingdom and the United States that not everyone supports this condition within China's political axe. This condition should have a lot of room for manoeuvre, at least Liang Dunyan is sending some kind of signal!"

Looking at the president, Taft said seriously.

"I personally believe that the signal sent by Liang Dunyan is very obvious. Within China's political axe, not everyone agrees with their emperor or military's decision to occupy Japan. They hope to reach peace, and this condition may be proposed by China's political axe, aiming to make Japan refuse its request, so as to make it clear that Zheng Yan chose to invade the mainland, but in fact, for the opponents within China's political axe, they regard this as an opportunity. If we were willing to be at the negotiating table, and we could play a role, maybe we can get unexpected gains!"

"You mean..."

Opening the document in front of him, Roosevelt carefully scrutinizes the meaning expressed in that sentence.

"Maybe there are people inside China's political axe who want to end the war through negotiations, but they must get enough compensation to convince their emperor!"

(to be continued)