Chapter 798 Zimmerman Telegram
1916 was a presidential election year in the United States. President Wilson was in his office handling official business while working with his campaign team to prepare for the election four months later.
"How's it going?" Wilson asked a campaign aide.
"Hughes's poll numbers have risen." The assistant's voice was filled with worry. "His ideas seem to be more popular. He thinks we are too weak in dealing with the German submarine war. You make the United States look vulnerable."
Wilson didn't stop his hands and said "hmm" with his mouth.
Hughes was a smart and strong opponent, and the two were consistently neck and neck in the polls.
Hughes, who is in the opposition party, has an inherent advantage. He can accuse Wilson of what he has done poorly or insufficiently in the past four years, and he can make up for these shortcomings.
One of them was that Hughes believed that even if the United States was "neutral," it should actively prepare for war and show due toughness on the issue of the German submarine blockade.
Wilson continued to sign and casually asked, "Do you think his rise in the polls is accidental or due to some other reason?"
"It may be related to the recent unfavorable situation on the European battlefield." The assistant replied.
Wilson stopped writing and looked at his assistant in confusion: "The battlefield is unfavorable, but people choose to support Hughes?"
Shouldn't we stay away from war?
"Yes." The assistant handed over the poll and explained, "Because the battlefield is unfavorable, people think that participating in the war may be inevitable, so they are more inclined to support Hughes's concept of preparing for war."
Wilson was silent.
His campaign slogan was "Wilson keeps America out of war," which took advantage of voters' fear of war and desire for peace.
Unexpectedly, there was a subtle change in the voters at this time.
"It's not just the middle and lower class voters, Mr. President." The assistant added: "Many politicians and capitalists also intend to join the war."
Wilson said "hmm".
There is no doubt that politicians and capitalists want to prevent the UK's $10 billion loan from becoming a bad debt.
Therefore, when Charles proposed "negotiations for peace", they became anxious:
"The war must go on, or we will all go bankrupt because we can't get our loans back."
"Yes, until the Germans surrender completely and pay reparations."
"10 billion dollars, no one can afford such a price."
…
Wilson even believes this is the main reason.
Because these capitalists control the media and public opinion, and use them to subtly manipulate the will of the people.
Capitalists are very good at this.
Wilson sensed the danger and knew that if he didn't make changes, he would most likely lose to his opponent.
But how to change it?
From "staying away from war" to "actively preparing for war"?
Not only was he suspected of being opportunistic, but he was also criticized for following Hughes and being indecisive.
Just as Wilson was hesitating, his staff sent him a telegram: "Mr. President, a secret message has been sent from Paris."
"Paris?" Wilson wondered.
Because of ethnic reasons, or perhaps because Britain was the world's number one superpower, the United States tacitly assumed that the Western Front was led by Britain, and therefore had more contact with Britain rather than France.
Now a secret telegram has arrived from Paris.
What can be called "secret telegrams" in the president's office are top secrets that even the staff are not authorized to read.
What could it be?
With doubts, Wilson opened the envelope and took out the telegram. After taking a look at it, he was stunned.
It was a secret telegram from Germany to Mexico that was intercepted by French intelligence personnel. After deciphering the message, it showed that Germany was trying to cooperate with Mexico to delay the United States.
"We will do everything in our power to keep the United States neutral."
"If the plan fails, we propose an alliance with Mexico and joint operations on the following basis."
"We will provide your country with a lot of financial assistance, and Mexico will regain the territory it lost in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona."
"Germany guarantees recognition of your sovereignty over these lands."
(Note: These three states were annexed by the United States during the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848, totaling 2.4 million square kilometers. The above telegram is authentic. Because it was sent by German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann, it is called the "Zimmermann Telegram", which is regarded as the fuse for the United States to join the war)
Wilson stood up from his chair with a bang. He realized that this was a good opportunity, an opportunity to smoothly change his political views and even get ahead of his opponents.
"Give this telegram to the newspaper." Wilson handed the telegram to his assistant and ordered: "Publish it word for word."
The assistant took the telegram and glanced at it, his face changed instantly. The Germans actually extended their hands to America and formed an alliance with Mexico in an attempt to annex American territory?
War is inevitable.
Sure enough, the contents of the telegram were published in the newspaper and instantly aroused the anger of the American people:
"We have always maintained neutrality and restraint. Even though some Americans died in German submarines, this did not stop the Germans from bringing the war to the United States."
"Is this what they want? To start a war between Mexico and us so that the United States can be distracted."
"This is a provocation to us. We cannot ignore it. We must teach them a lesson!"
…
The reason why the American people remain neutral is largely due to the Monroe Doctrine: as long as the war does not occur in America, the United States will remain neutral, otherwise it will regard it as a hostile act.
Although war has not occurred yet, the collusion between Germany and Mexico is an act of blatant hostility, which the United States certainly cannot tolerate.
At this time, Wilson seized the opportunity to call on everyone:
"Gentlemen, it has been proven that peace cannot be achieved by mere concessions."
"The world must be safe and democratic. Rights are more valuable than peace."
"We will fight for our own interests. We have no selfish goals or pursuits."
“We do not seek to conquer others, we do not demand reparations for ourselves, we do not seek material compensation for voluntary sacrifices.”
"We fight only for great moral principles, not only against Germany, but against all despotism!"
The anger of the American people was ignited, and they responded to Wilson's call:
“We should start a war to end war.”
"The Germans are fighting against all of humanity. We must stand with the Allies to protect human civilization!"
"Be armed, there should be no more restrictions!"
…
William II, who was far away on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, probably never imagined that a move he thought was smart would drag the world's first industrial power into war.
But he should have thought of it.
Because the United States' entry into the war was doomed the moment Charles proposed armistice negotiations with Germany, it was impossible for American capitalists to allow the war to end through negotiations.
This telegram simply gave the United States a perfect excuse.
(End of this chapter)
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