Chapter 1035 The Future of America (8)
Truman certainly listened to Hoffman's speech. He scoffed at most of the content in it. It's not that Hoffman deliberately fabricated it, but many of it was obviously made up. For example, which American cares about the Indians? Another example is that the United States expanded its territory several times, which was completely a behavior of strength + luck. Even Mexico, which is now so close, didn't make a fuss, so why did the Germans want to meddle in other people's business?
Even the suppression of veterans that Hoffman desperately criticized has been almost resolved by now - it was solved by Roosevelt and Truman, and the person who was really responsible for the suppression was Hoover.
But he had to admit that the Germans were right about one thing - conspiracy group!
Does such a group really exist?
In form, it is naturally impossible for there to be an open or secret organization as described by Hoffman in his speech, but in fact, the core power to determine the major policies of the United States and the domestic and foreign policies of the United States is indeed in the hands of a very small number of people - capitalist groups, Wall Street tycoons, senior politicians and various prominent families form a big network. The key nodes of this big network and other people attached to them, such as senior military officers, famous lawyers, social public intellectuals, congressmen and state legislators, middle and senior civil bureaucrats, etc., together account for only one ten-thousandth of the total number of American families (there are about 35 million families in the United States).
Truman is also a figure in this system. He knows this very well, but he just doesn't admit it. What Hoffman said may be a little inflammatory to ordinary people, but for those who have really seen high-level politics, this is really not news.
Many civilians also rely on a little bit of inference, conjecture and endless fantasy to forcibly propose the conspiracy group of Freemasonry, and Truman can only sneer at this.
On the surface, the democratic procedure of one person, one vote is nothing more than this group launching two representatives for voters to choose and for them to exercise their "democratic rights". On the surface, it seems that the two candidates are mortal enemies and are eager to fight to the death. In fact, the difference between their policies is not big. It's just that everyone needs to perform hard on the stage. When it comes to politicians' self-cultivation and performance art, no one is more proficient than them.
Even if there are really differences of opinion and countermeasures, what can you do? Members of the Capitol Hill and the endless lobbying groups outside the House have plenty of ways to change your mind, and "turn left and turn right" behaviors are endless.
As a president, his career is usually only 4 or 8 years, but as a politician, he has to stay in this circle for a long time, even if he is too old to work, there are still family members. Anyone who wants to go beyond the rules must carefully weigh his identity and future - do you still plan to stay in this circle? Wallace was wiped out because he couldn't figure this out.
Even though he was president for 12 years, had a high prestige, and brought the United States out of the shadow of the Great Depression in one fell swoop, President Franklin Roosevelt often faced invisible resistance and interference. He spent countless efforts on the "fireside chats" and "Lend-Lease Act". Only in the last few years of his life, knowing that he was not going to live long, did he make up his mind to be arbitrary in many areas. Because he no longer had to worry about other people's faces and thoughts, and Roosevelt's sons were all playboys who betrayed their father. He never expected these useless guys to inherit his political legacy.
Truman's situation was slightly different from Roosevelt's. He was not elected president through universal suffrage. He often had to take into account the interests of the party. It was a very risky behavior to withdraw from the election and personally take all the responsibilities. Although he vowed to make a comeback in the future, if the wind direction changed drastically after the war, the probability of becoming a prisoner and being tried was not small.
After confirming his withdrawal from the election, Truman had instructed his subordinates to destroy some documents and materials. If they were traced in the future, it could only be said that Truman's measures were inappropriate and he was unable to respond, but he could not be said to have violated the system and procedures - the latter was the most fatal thing.
Now, he and Dewey were in the same room, and they fully exchanged opinions on certain issues. Since Truman announced his withdrawal from the election, he was no longer a threat to Dewey. There was no need to say those dirty words and wanton accusations. They were all mature politicians and knew their limits. They should perform when they should perform and be serious when they should be serious. Dewey obviously understood this. When he was alone with Truman, his face, which had just confidently announced his policy platform, was full of gloom - negotiating peace was not easy. Whether Truman appointed him as the special ambassador or not, it was not easy, but he had to do it well!
He pondered and said, "What do you think about peace talks?"
Truman sighed: "The failure of the Brazilian campaign has caused our attempt to contain German forces in central South America to fail. Although Generals Stilwell and Ridgway have taken over the front-line defense of Recife, they do not have the ability to attack in the short term and can only stand off against the enemy at most."
Dewey knew that the key to solving the South American problem was the navy. Without sea control, everything else was useless - the Atlantic Fleet was crippled by the enemy, and the little strength on hand could not be used until October. Even if the army was formed and pulled out as scheduled, it would not be a match for the German army in terms of force comparison.
Truman thought for a while and said, "I think there are three key issues in peace talks: first, the South American arrangement issue; second, the Japan-Germany alliance issue; third, the South African issue, and the others are minor details."
Dewey basically agreed with Truman's views and wanted to hear his opinions - he didn't know what kind of peace conditions Truman himself would be willing to sign.
"My personal opinion is that when it comes to South American issues, the German American Republic can only hold its nose and admit that Brazil may also need to be divided into North and South - the specific territories will be discussed seriously again; we will definitely have to deal with Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and North Brazil. Control is in hand, this is one;
Secondly, it seems difficult to dismantle the Japan-Germany alliance. We can only continue to wait for the opportunity. We do not need to ask Germany to forcibly dissolve the Japan-Germany alliance, but at least we require Germany to maintain external neutrality and not directly sell military equipment, industrial equipment and anything else to Japan. Raw materials that can be used for military purposes;
Thirdly, regarding South Africa..." Truman sighed, "I'm afraid it will be difficult to keep it. "
Dewey knew that it was very difficult. After the failure of the South Atlantic Naval Battle and the influx of a large number of German submarines into the Atlantic, large-scale material exchanges between South Africa and the United States had actually been interrupted. Although South Africa had accumulated a lot of materials and its military strength seemed to be considerable, when he thought of No one has confidence in confronting the elite German soldiers and generals who have retreated from the Eastern Front.
According to information available to the United States, by mid-to-late August, Germany had withdrawn at least two armies from the Eastern Front and deployed them in the direction of Africa. One of them was said to be the SS Armored Group Army (Thor's Hammer) with the latest equipment, and the other was The number is unknown, but it is also a strong team that has been fighting for many years. During the same period, shipload after shipload of supplies were delivered through Suez to Mozambique and Madagascar - most of them were transported from Europe.
Only base oil does not need to go through the Suez Canal. It is directly refined at the Abadan Refinery in Iran and then travels through the Indian Ocean to Mozambique. The Americans watched all this with worry. They still didn't know that one of the ships in the cargo transportation was the freighter that Britain took the initiative to deliver to Germany. If they knew, it would definitely make their lungs explode!
By late September, it was said that the German army had mobilized at least 200,000 troops and corresponding equipment and supplies, but follow-up attacks were still coming in. The United States was anxious but had no solution. The Nazis, who were in urgent need of treatment, even issued an ultimatum to Portugal, asking them to refuse to facilitate German military operations.
The Lisbon authorities' answer made Washington dumbfounded: "Of course we don't want to, but for the sake of God, please tell us a way to reject the Germans gracefully without getting beaten..."
According to the Portuguese, this operation was the first time that the four major powers of Germany, Britain, France, and Italy were launched under the name of the European Joint Force. Although they were basically German troops, at least a decent joint force command headquarters was formed. Not only There are generals from Britain, France and Italy, as well as fleets from Britain, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
Especially Britain, Germany made it very clear that after taking South Africa, it would manage most of the territory for London (and part of it to form a Boer state). For this purpose, the British authorities allocated 2 million tons of ship tonnage (all under the Lend-Lease Act). The Americans were so angry that they vomited blood). France, Italy, and the Netherlands also shared their benefits. The three companies cobbled together and provided about 1.5 million tons of ship tonnage. Germany itself provided 1 million tons (transportation The main force of the fleet is to ensure supply from South America), with a total of 4.5 million tons. Coupled with the enthusiastic contributions of a group of loyal men from Iran, Iraq, Greece, Croatia, and Egypt, the tonnage of 5 million tons of ships was finally successfully allocated, and they are just waiting to be loaded with supplies to Mozambique and Madagascar.
How can Portugal dare to go against the four major powers at the same time? Are they tired of living?
The helpless Truman could only say: "The situation in South Africa is just a struggle. It is recommended that all our troops withdraw after the armistice. However, South Africa cannot be handed over to German control. It can be controlled by the London government."
Dewey basically understood Truman's position. The two people's ideas were relatively close, but he felt that they were a little bit different. He frowned and said, "These can be put up as the conditions for the first negotiation. Is it possible to soften it a little more?"
"for example?"
"The United States agreed to participate in the United Nations led by Germany on the condition that we and Germany have equal rights and status; agreed that Germany would sell some supplies to Japan on the condition that they would sell them on an equal basis and pay cash. If Japan can buy it, the United States should also be able to buy it; Germany It must be agreed that our fleet can harmlessly pass through the waters off South Africa and Cape Horn; Germany and the United States can station roughly equal numbers of troops in South America; Guyana can be returned to several European countries, but Germany cannot station troops..." Dewey said, "Others, some economic and trade can be given to Germany. "
"I think your idea is feasible!" Truman nodded, "Go ahead and do it boldly, I support you!"