Chapter 2013： Candidate (1/2)
”Well, then change another person. You can ask His Royal Highness Prince Ruprecht. How about William Howard Taft?” Roosevelt naturally knew about Robert's meeting with the Social Democratic centrist leader Hasai. Ruprecht must have known the matter at the time, but did not say anything. Unexpectedly, this time, the German crown prince is waiting for him here!
When the outcome of the Spanish-American War changed, the entire American history also turned a corner. Theodore Roosevelt’s ascendance to the presidency was delayed, and for the same reason, the political career of his good friend and partner, Vice President William Howard Taft, has also changed accordingly. Therefore, the current tower Futt was Roosevelt's vice president, and from the standpoint of status, he was equal to Crown Prince Ruprecht. As for ability, Roosevelt also trusted Taft very much.
Taft and Crown Prince Ruprecht also met before. The relationship between the two parties is not bad. Roosevelt felt that the possibility of the other party's consent was high. Of course, even so, Roosevelt was still a little unhappy, because inadvertently, the American plenipotentiary went to Brussels to negotiate with the Germans itself was a bit weak. The Germans regained control inadvertently.
Count Hogner did not know the contents of the document, so he was unable to exchange views on certain issues on behalf of the Crown Prince and Roosevelt. Under the current circumstances, his main task has actually been completed, paving the way for the subsequent arrival of the US plenipotentiary in Brussels. Road, and after dealing with today’s affairs, Earl Hogner left. One day later, when the German side called back saying that Taft was acceptable, William Howard Taft came to Roosevelt’s office. In the absence of anyone else, Roosevelt told Taft about the contents of the file he had just seen.
”If according to this document, we want to help the Germans to subdue France? Even the Germans put forward more stringent conditions, the French must copy?” Taft said after reading the document.
”That's the case. Prince Ruprecht emphasized that only when the French surrendered, the German army could concentrate its efforts on the British in one fell swoop. Pershing and others also expressed support for this opinion.” Roosevelt said.
”However, a France that has completely become an enemy of Britain is the most beneficial to Germany. What about the United States? Without the support of the British, France can only choose to be neutral or simply rely on Germany. Then Germany will express it like the Prussian-Austrian War. With his tolerance, Germany’s position in Europe as a whole will be unshakable. In this case, is it really good for the United States?” Taft said.
”What about your thoughts?” Roosevelt asked.
”I think hitting the British hard and making France surrender are two unrelated things. For the Germans, they want the British to shed more blood. But we don't need it, as long as the British don't interfere in the Far East. After the war, the British certainly did not have the ability to intervene in the Far East. We hope that Europe will have a balance of power. It would be good for us if the war is now over. Why do we have to let the Germans beat Britain and France so badly?” Taft asked.
”I have considered this issue, and even our German allies have definitely considered this issue. Let the French release the water, and then the British are the ideal situation for the Germans. You know, if this plan fails, the Germans What will it do?” Roosevelt asked.
”I don't know.” Taft replied simply.