U.S. Ambassador Davidson left the German Foreign Ministry with an angry expression. In his opinion, the two conditions put forward by Germany are very harsh. It is impossible for the U.S. government to agree to such a condition.
However, the life and death of tens of thousands of American soldiers deployed on the Azores is very important. If the U.S. government does not agree to the conditions of the Germans, you don't need to think about it, the Germans will definitely kill all the tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers. This will not only cause heavy losses to the military power of the United States, but also cause great problems in the United States. After all, tens of thousands of soldiers involve tens of thousands of families, plus their relatives and friends, it is undoubtedly a very powerful force. If it doesn't work out, the government will be devastated. However, all of this has nothing to do with Davidson. He is just a small ambassador abroad. It is not his turn to make decisions on these major matters.
After returning to the embassy, Ambassador Davidson immediately reported the German conditions to the country. As for whether the country will agree, he does not know.
After receiving the telegram from Ambassador Davidson, US Secretary of State Bryan went to the White House immediately and reported the matter to President Woodrow Wilson.
"Your Excellency, the conditions of the Germans are too harsh. Whether it is asking us to make a public apology, or asking us to pay a loss of two billion marks, we cannot accept it. However, the tens of thousands of officers and soldiers on the Azores It is something we have to consider carefully," Bryan said.
President Woodrow Wilson also had a serious face, and he never thought that everything would turn out like this. Originally, tens of thousands of troops were first dispatched to land in the Azores in order to ensure the complete occupation of the Azores by the US military. However, now he is in a cocoon. Those tens of thousands of troops became their biggest constraint.
If it agrees to the Germans' request, the United States will not only lose face internationally and become a laughing stock of the whole world, but will even pay heavy losses for it. The compensation of 500 million US dollars is enough for them to rebuild a powerful fleet. It is not that the United States cannot afford this money. But if it is taken out, it will make their already heavily indebted finances even more overwhelmed.
"Everyone, let's talk about it, do we want to agree to the conditions of the Germans?" President Woodrow Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, an apology can be agreed. Although, this will make us lose face. However, if this conflict can be ended, there is nothing wrong with losing face. Who made us lose this battle?" Secretary of War Gary Sen said.
"But what's the use of apologizing? You need to pay the Germans 500 million dollars in compensation. Otherwise, the Germans will not agree to end this conflict." Minister Daniels said.
After the fiasco of the navy, although President Woodrow Wilson promised a special allocation to the navy, the U.S. navy can quickly recover its strength and even become stronger.
However, the money has not been officially allocated yet. If the Germans were compensated another 500 million U.S. dollars, Secretary Daniels could be sure that there would definitely be problems with the money originally promised to the U.S. Navy.
"Mr. McAdoo, can we squeeze out 500 million dollars from our finances?" President Woodrow Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, if you don't embezzle other funds, you won't be able to squeeze out at all." McAdoo said.
Now the financial pressure of the United States is too great. The warships lost by the Navy are all built with money! If it needs to be rebuilt now, it will also cost money.
"If you take a loan from the bank, can you get the money?" asked Brian.
"Your Excellency, Secretary of State, I'm afraid it will be very difficult. We have already borrowed a large amount of money from the bank before. If we cannot repay the previous debt, it is impossible for us to borrow money from the bank again." McAdoo said . There was still one thing he didn't say in his heart, that is, the failure of the U.S. Navy once again made those bankers very disappointed, which would naturally make their support for the U.S. government no longer as great as before. It will be very difficult to get those bankers to give money to support the United States.
McAdoo is the government's finance minister. But at the same time, he was the voice of the bankers in the government. Therefore, he is very clear about the thoughts of those bankers.
President Woodrow Wilson couldn't help frowning tightly. He wanted a peaceful solution to the conflict this time, but it now appeared that the Germans were not prepared to give them a chance at all. And the tens of thousands of American soldiers deployed on the Azores will undoubtedly be very dangerous. With the German army already fully occupying an absolute advantage, it is impossible for the tens of thousands of U.S. Marines to be the opponent of the German army.
"Gentlemen, it seems that we can't meet the conditions of the Germans. Your Excellency, Secretary of State, is it possible to talk to the Germans? Let them lower the conditions a little?" President Woodrow Wilson asked.
"Your Excellency, this is almost impossible. The attitude of the Germans this time is very firm. We want them to lower their conditions, which is completely impossible." Bryan said.
"In that case, there is nothing we can do. Send a telegram to the soldiers in the Azores and tell them that they are the pride of the American Republic! We have tried our best to bring them back safely At home. However, the Germans did not give us such an opportunity. Therefore, there is nothing we can do. Whether they continue to hold their ground, or surrender to the Germans when the Germans attack, it is up to them to decide!" said President Woodrow Wilson .
I have to admit that politicians are very cold-blooded. In fact, you can't be a politician without being cold-blooded. President Woodrow Wilson obviously wanted to give up those tens of thousands of soldiers, but he also called them the pride of the American Republic. This clearly hoped that they could continue to stand firm on the Azores and cause more damage to the Germans. Big casualties.
Now that he has decided to abandon those tens of thousands of troops, President Woodrow Wilson undoubtedly hopes to maximize his benefits. If the tens of thousands of marines can cause greater losses to the Germans, that would be the best result.
"Yes, Your Excellency." Minister Garrison and Minister Daniels nodded. Obviously, they almost all expected the final outcome of the tens of thousands of marines, and they would inevitably suffer heavy losses, and then surrendered to the Germans when they ran out of ammunition and food.