Chapter 173 Another Compromise

"We will not give up Hokkaido. If the Soviets get the territory north of Rumoi-Kushiro, they will gain access to the Pacific Ocean!" Defense Minister General Harold said: "The Pacific Ocean is ours. We must block the Soviet Union's exit!"

After meeting with the Soviet ambassador, Warren returned to the round table conference room. Everyone was still there. After hearing the conditions relayed by Warren, Harold was the first to disagree.

"Then we must be prepared for a big war. We must help the islanders and take back Hokkaido. We must mobilize at least 100,000 army troops to go to Hokkaido." Admiral Stan Fittner, the CIA director who had been silent, spoke.

An army of 100,000 people! After the United States withdrew its troops from Vietnam, there had been no large-scale military mobilization. It was really difficult to gather an army of 100,000 people in a hurry! Moreover, they had to be transported thousands of miles to the island country! It would take at least two or three months to get the personnel and equipment.

"Why so many?" asked President Carter.

"Because we have received the latest intelligence." Admiral Stein Fitner said, "The Soviets have already transported their two reorganized army divisions to Otaru in Vladivostok. Once they land in Otaru, the Soviet army in Hokkaido will have more than six divisions, with a total strength of more than 80,000! If we want to deal with the Soviets militarily, we must use more military forces. 100,000 is still a minority. Once the Soviets continue to increase their troops, we will have to continue to increase our garrison."

The Soviets will continue to invest troops! Moreover, if Otaru falls into the hands of the Soviets, the Soviets will add more troops at any time!

"The island nation's army is not good at fighting. According to the latest battle report, the island nation's 7th Division is attacking Kushiro. At dawn, a tank regiment was destroyed. The Soviet T-72 tanks have strong firepower." Vice President Walter said, "Now, of the four divisions deployed by the island nation in Hokkaido, the 2nd Division and the 7th Division are already at a disadvantage in Kushiro. The 2nd Division is still guarding Asahikawa, and the 11th Division dares not move out in Sapporo to defend their Sapporo. The island nation is mobilizing new divisions from the mainland, but judging from the combat effectiveness, the island nation's army will definitely not be able to stop the Soviet invasion. We must make a quick decision. If we wait until the Soviets completely occupy Hokkaido, our negotiations will fail."

If we talk now, the Soviets have not occupied the whole Hokkaido yet, so there is still room for negotiation. But if we wait until the Soviets occupy the whole Hokkaido, it will be too late to negotiate.

Go to war with the Soviet Union because of the Hokkaido issue? This is not the Cuban Missile Crisis of the 1960s, when the United States was quite tough. The United States had just pulled itself out of the quagmire of the Vietnam War, and now it is involved in a new world war?

Be careful, you must be careful!

The Vice President's words also meant that he was in favor of negotiations.

"Brzezinski, what do you think?" Carter asked the person next to him.

As the National Security Advisor, Brzezinski has always been against any major conflict in the Far East. Now, everyone has come to understand that the Russian bear is not easy to mess with and does not play by the rules! This drama is too big, how to end it now?

"I think our focus has always been Europe," Brzezinski said. "Europe has important industrial and defense potential in our Western world, and is the focus of our entire Western world. Now, we are under too much pressure in the West, and we are always facing the Soviets' rolling armored torrents. The Soviets are always thinking about planting their flags all over Western Europe. And now, the Soviets are actually going to attack the Far East. For us, this may be an opportunity. If Hokkaido is divided, the Soviets will always think about occupying the entire island country, and will shift part of their military focus to the Far East. In this way, our pressure in Western Europe will be much less. So, this matter is not necessarily all bad. Our strategic focus is always in Europe. The island country is not worth our use of a large number of troops to fight for some territory for them. Anyway, Hokkaido does not have any important industry. Moreover, there are still some people in the island country who do not welcome us. It is better to let the island people feel the personal threat. And, most importantly, if we really want to go to war with the Soviet Union, it needs to be authorized by Congress. You should also know that except for arms dealers, no one else wants us to fight with the Soviets."

The island nation belongs to the Western capitalist world camp, but some people are still dissatisfied with the United States, thinking that the United States symbolizes imperialism and evil. This is simply too much! Now, let them feel that the real evil is the Soviet Union! The Soviets will invade the island nation at any time, and the United States is there to protect the island nation.

Moreover, Congress! To massively support the island nation and wage a war with the Soviet Union directly is not just about air and sea support. To send more than 100,000 troops, it needs the authorization of Congress. The Vietnam War that just ended has made most Americans hate war, and this proposal will not pass in Congress at all.

Brzezinski gave many reasons, and in fact, these reasons have some truth, but the most important one is that the United States is really not suitable for a full-scale war with the Soviet Union at this time.

The United States and the Soviet Union were competing for hegemony, and both sides were fighting openly and secretly. However, at critical moments, one of them always had to retreat, otherwise, the destruction of mankind would come. And now, the role of retreating has to be played by the Americans.

"Okay, Warren, go meet with the Soviet ambassador again and ask him to convey our opinions to Moscow. If the Soviets are willing to end the dispute now, we can sit down and discuss the ownership of the area north of Rumoe-Kushiro. If Moscow still insists on its own way, it means challenging the bottom line of our entire Western world!" President Carter said: "Harold, immediately mobilize our domestic air force to go to the island base! At the critical moment, we will not be afraid to enter the war! Dispatch our Pacific Fleet's aircraft carrier battle group to the island waters!"

Carter's words were tacit approval of the Soviet proposal, which was simply too shameful! The United States once again compromised with the evil Soviet Union, but it had no choice.

Carter did not meet with the Soviet ambassador in person, but let the Secretary of State act as a messenger. At the same time, the United States must also be prepared. If the Soviet Union really insists on going its own way, it will also mean the beginning of World War III!

How come Brezhnev, this old guy, is getting bolder and bolder as he gets older? Did he really know that the United States would not go to war? Damn it!

Looking at the dim lights outside, several hours passed. Carter felt a little hungry and remembered that he had not eaten since morning. He turned his head and looked at his think tanks. Harold had a drooping face and Warren's face was not looking good either. Brzezinski was relieved.

Alas, I have just entered the White House and I have encountered so many things! Every thing is testing my ability, but I always seem to be incapable. When this news came out, the opposition party didn't know how to criticize me again.