Chapter 815 Peacemaker
The White House, Oval Office.
Campaign aides are reporting the latest polls to Wilson.
"This is a good sign, Mr. President." The campaign aide said excitedly:
"We're up five points and still going up, and Hughes is way behind us."
"As long as we keep up this momentum, we will win the election without a doubt!"
Wilson leaned back easily in his chair and uttered a satisfied "hmm".
This was within his expectations. Since he changed his campaign direction to "joining the war," he could feel the voices of his supporters increasing every time he traveled, and their shouts became more and more excited:
“We support joining the war!”
"Show them some color."
"Kick the Germans back to their own country, they have no right to do so!"
…
Wilson did not expect that the people, who had always been afraid of being involved in the war and maintained a wait-and-see attitude, would be ignited with anger by just a fuse.
Then, the whole situation took a dramatic turn.
Wilson crossed his fingers and shook them over his chest, as he did when he was thinking.
"What's going on on the Western Front?" he asked. "I mean, is there anyone who still wants to negotiate with the Germans?"
Under the current circumstances, Wilson did not want Britain, France and the Germans to reach an armistice agreement.
This is not just a matter of the $10 billion loan potentially becoming a bad debt; it will also affect his own approval rating, because no one will pay for a "war" that has already entered armistice negotiations.
"Although there are still voices of a ceasefire, they are not many," the campaign aide replied:
“We put pressure on the British government over the loan and succeeded in silencing British MPs who supported the negotiations.”
"In addition, we stressed that the goal of this war should be to overthrow the German dictatorship."
"Otherwise, any kind of armistice would only give Germany time to rest and give them a chance to make a comeback."
Wilson nodded. It was a good excuse.
The right to cease fire cannot be in the hands of Britain and France, but should be decided by the United States.
Then Wilson suddenly thought, if this is the case, why not package the United States as the "hope for a ceasefire"?
Think about that picture:
The colonial armies of Britain, France, Russia and more than a dozen other countries were killing each other with the Germans on the battlefield.
No one sees any hope of victory, and everyone is struggling to survive in a harsh environment with no light at all, and their lives may be taken away at any time.
At this time, the United States appeared. While joining the war, it told everyone that its purpose was to stop this meaningless war. This would undoubtedly bring the dawn of victory to everyone and become everyone's hope...
marvelous!
Wilson applauded his own idea.
This will not only enhance the United States' international status, but also raise its own support rate to a new level and even gain international acclaim.
Ironically, the United States was the country that did everything it could to prevent a ceasefire agreement behind the scenes, but in public it transformed itself into a "peace messenger."
But what does that matter?
Just when Wilson was very excited about this, his secretary came in and handed him a telegram: "Mr. President, General Pershing called and said that the British are going to place the US troops in the second line to ensure the safety of the logistics supply line. He believes that this matter is of great importance and needs your approval..."
"What?" Wilson took the telegram, glanced at it, and immediately gave a negative answer:
"No, we can't accept that. If we are only responsible for logistics, can we still call it participating in the war?"
"The United States is not and should not become such an insignificant role. Logistics supply is the job of the militia. Where does their doing this put the United States?"
"Although doing so will indeed reduce casualties, what we lose is our dignity, our honor, and our belief in maintaining world peace!"
Although it sounded high-sounding, what Wilson had in mind was the right to speak.
If the United States only plays a supporting role, can it still be a "peacemaker"?
During future armistice negotiations, the United States may not even be able to sit at the negotiating table, let alone get any benefits!
"Yes, I understand." The secretary replied: "I will convey your meaning to General Pershing."
…
Pershing breathed a sigh of relief when he received the telegram.
He also did not want the United States to only ensure the safety of transportation lines on the second line, which was contrary to the purpose of his participation in the war.
His goal was to improve the combat effectiveness of the US military, learn advanced tactics, train excellent commanders, and update the US military equipment.
Only in this way can the US military keep up with the advanced level of the world.
Originally, Pershing thought that President Wilson would be inclined to "agree."
Winning with fewer casualties could potentially earn him higher approval ratings, which was the main reason he asked the White House for instructions.
Just now, he was still thinking, what if Wilson agreed to this plan?
How can I explain the pros and cons to him and make him change his mind?
Unexpectedly, Wilson's reply was "rejection", and his attitude was very firm, even calling it a "shame".
Things are easier.
Pershing held the telegram and pointed it at Haig, who was sitting on the sofa drinking coffee. He said, "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you, General. The president has rejected this plan."
Hearing this, Haig, who was enjoying himself, was stunned. His coffee cup stopped in mid-air, and after a while he said, "No, that's impossible."
No one can refuse such an offer unless he is a fool!
Pershing did not answer, but took a few steps forward and handed the telegram to Haig.
Haig read the telegram over and over again, and then seemed to understand something. He looked up at Pershing with a confident smile on his face: "You must not have told the President how cruel the war is, right?"
If he had known that there had been 100,000 casualties in a single day on the battlefield, he would have seriously considered this plan.
Pershing said helplessly: "Why do you think Mr. President doesn't know? Unfortunately, I told him about your 'glorious history' before I came here."
The words were full of sarcasm.
Haig was so angry that his face turned blue and red.
But he didn't want to give up like this. He thought he still had a chance to turn things around. He stood up and raised his chin towards the military camp outside the window: "Well, Brigadier General, I think you should listen to the soldiers' calls."
Only then did Haig realize the wisdom of Kitchener's order.
The United States is a free country. Whether it is a general or a president, they all need to consider public support.
If the soldiers generally agree with the British plan and influence their families, the president and the generals will have no choice but to compromise.
Pershing snorted.
How could he not guess Haig's intentions?
But Pershing had made up his mind that anyone who agreed to this plan would be a coward.
Pershing would kick them out of his army immediately!
(End of this chapter)
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