() Roosevelt looked at the upstart of the U.S. Navy in front of him with a complex expression. It was he who tried his best to oppose his plan before the Spanish-American War, but at the same time, he fulfilled his duties during the war and left the last trace of the U.S. Navy.

Dignity. Now that he has left the government department, he has become a rear admiral of the United States Navy, one of the actual controllers of the navy, and is responsible for the navy's reconstruction and development plans.

"I admit my mistake. If I hadn't been so eager to launch the Spanish-American War, it would have been delayed for at most two years, no, one and a half years would be enough. After a large number of our battleships are launched, the Spanish fleet will definitely not be our opponent! We can

Bring Cuba, Honolulu, the Philippines and surrounding islands under the control of the United States. In future games, we will have an advantage over China." Theodore Roosevelt said sadly.

"If we wait two years, we can indeed take Cuba, but it is impossible for Honolulu and the more distant Philippines. The U.S. Navy is a near-shore fleet, even worse than the Northern Fleet's ocean-going capabilities. Even if

We defeated the Spanish fleet, and it is absolutely impossible for the remaining warships to sail across the ocean to fight

Enemies that hinder the expansion of the United States." Ma Jifen shook his head and continued: "Our enemies were not only the Beiyang at that time, but also the British and the Germans. They also did not want our power to surrender to the other side of the ocean. If we do this

If they do, I'm afraid they will have to do it themselves."...

"In 2 years, we can have 3 more battleships or even more, but we still cannot form a local advantage over Britain and Beiyang, and the results are still the same. There are problems with our original army building ideas. We have a larger tonnage.

, but combat effectiveness, especially ocean-going combat effectiveness, is very limited. In this regard, General Magiffin will have more say." Mahan motioned to Magiffin to let him continue.

"Due to various ocean-going restrictions such as funding, the sea trial performance and endurance of our four main battleships are very poor. Armor design and other aspects are also far from mature, and the two armored cruisers are a bit large and inadequate. As for the protection of the dozen

cruising

Although there are many battleships, I have to say that except for a few battleships such as Olympia, the combat effectiveness of other protected cruisers is very limited. These problems have to be said to be the tragedy of the United States Navy." Ma Giffin's face showed a trace of helplessness.

"But now, we finally have an opportunity to shorten the gap with other naval powers. The emergence of new warships has made those warships that have just been in service obsolete. Those huge tonnages no longer directly reflect combat effectiveness.

The strength and weakness of the country. And now, what we need to do is to hide our capabilities and bide our time, not only the navy, but also our country. We all need to do this." Ma Jifen took a deep breath and said.

"Hide your strength and bide your time? Keep your power and bide your time when the world is about to undergo major changes? The United States has become the country with the largest industrial volume in the world. We need to obtain a status commensurate with our strength. Why can any country in the Far East expand wantonly? But we do

Do you want to stay in North America and watch others carve up the continent and ocean?" Theodore Roosevelt said angrily.

"Keeping a low profile does not mean that we have done nothing, but the direction needs to be changed. We should not go to those hot spots to compete for interests with powerful countries. The Eurasian continent is not something we can go to now, and Africa has been carved up, which is not something we can go to. However,

But we can be in America

Show some fists. The Americans should be responsible for the affairs of the Americas themselves instead of letting the Europeans make irresponsible remarks. This is not only our opinion, but also the idea of ​​​​high-level officials. Of course, even if we do not directly intervene, we must also take responsibility for other places.

Exerting some influence." Mahan smiled slightly.

"Exercise some influence? For example, the Far East? For example, China and Russia and the Netherlands? For example, Britain and Germany?" Theodore Roosevelt was a seasoned politician after all. Mahan gave a little nudge. Roosevelt knew the direction.

Let potential rivals fight as hard as possible. If the Russians and the Dutch

People can greatly consume China's national power, which will naturally be of great benefit to the expansion of the United States. And if a war really breaks out between Britain and Germany, then regardless of victory or defeat, Europe will surely fall from the peak of power.

!When he thought of this, Roosevelt was extremely excited!

"Things in Europe are still too far away and will definitely not be decided within 10 years. However, matters in the Far East will soon determine the outcome. We cannot offend the future victors, but at the same time, we must also make the victors pay a greater price.

The price." Theodore Roosevelt continued.

"You are right. We will continue to have legitimate trade with China. Whether it is raw materials or chemical machinery products, we must work hard to open up this huge market. China has enough demand to swallow up our huge production capacity. This huge

The market is like a cake, it cannot be light

Let the European countries carve it up. As for the Russians and the Dutch, we may not provide them with enough advanced warships and financial support to let them fight more fiercely! When both sides suffer losses, it is the United States of America that marches to the Pacific.

moment." Mahan nodded and said.

"Mr. Mahan, you really should be a politician instead of teaching at the Naval Academy. You are obviously better at considering politics and the overall situation than some politicians." Roosevelt complimented.

"Supporting the Dutch and Russians is indeed a good idea, but it cannot be done anymore. If our country undertakes a large number of orders, then our slipways and skilled workers will be in short supply, which will seriously affect the outfitting speed of our self-built dreadnoughts.

, the construction cycle of a warship is about 3 to 4 years, and now Congress is still very cautious about ordering new warships, which is not good for the expansion of the navy. In short, there is a saying that there is more than enough self-preservation, but not enough expansion." Ma Jifen said.

"Actually, I have always wanted to ask, if the United States of America supports Russia and the Netherlands, will the Russians have a chance to defeat China?" Theodore Roosevelt asked reluctantly.

"There is no chance. China has more friends. Almost the entire Europe is supporting China against Russia. Even the French are not optimistic about its allies. Moreover, the Far East is too far away from Russia. In addition, Russia is now decadent.

The political and economic system, this clay-footed giant has no ability to confront a new powerful country." Mahan shook his head and said.

"How will you know if you don't try? I will use my own resources as much as possible to help the Russians. Of course, you can rest assured that this will not affect the diplomatic relations between the United States and China. You go and make a fool of yourself, I will be the one.

This black face." Theodore Roosevelt secretly made up his mind.
Chapter completed!