Chapter 821 Wallace in the Vortex (End)
"Actually, we wrote complete relevant reports yesterday that fully implemented your opinions, but these did not pass the press censorship, so they were all withdrawn..." The other party complained to him on the phone, "The FBI is keeping a close eye on it. One of our editors got into an argument with them because he was agitated, and was later taken away on the pretext of assisting in the investigation of spies. He was only released this morning, but he was fine, just a little frightened."
"They are abusing their censorship rights." Wallace was furious. "This is Hoover, yes, it must be Hoover!"
The other party immediately did not dare to say anything.
"I understand. Once I take care of this matter, you can post the correct news tomorrow!"
"Okay." The other party hung up the phone and quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead. Yesterday's situation was ten times more serious than what he just said. The Bureau of Investigation dug out all its old accounts and slapped them on the table and asked itself. Are you willing to obey or do you want to reveal all these things? After weighing the pros and cons, of course I can only do it. Nowadays, the news media are not afraid of the president or Congress, but they are afraid of the FBI, which has regulatory power. How can ordinary people dare to shake Hoover's reputation?
There are also several congressmen who are usually close to each other and quietly revealed some information. From the performance of the generals in the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the meeting, we can know that they don't take Wallace seriously at all, and just carry guns and sticks. Named and scolded, which general would dare to complain about Roosevelt in public? As an editor-in-chief with a highly sensitive profession, he would not choose to confront Hoover and the FBI in public or private matters, at least not now.
Just as Wallace was about to call Hoover to find out, unexpectedly a call came from the chief of staff: "Sir, Prime Minister Churchill flew from England to Washington early this morning. Secretary of State Hull said he would go there then. Airport greeting.”
"Churchill is here?" Wallace was stunned. "No one sent him an invitation?"
"The name of the visit is to visit President Roosevelt who is ill and hospitalized!"
"Damn it!" Wallace cursed secretly in his heart, and then said, "Okay, give me a call when Prime Minister Churchill is about to arrive, and I will go downstairs to pick him up, so there is no need to put up an honor guard."
"clear."
After a few more minutes of delay, he remembered to call Hoover and immediately wanted to talk. The person who answered the phone was Hoover himself. His attitude was very good, but his tone made him feel very uncomfortable:
"Your Excellency, yes, I ordered the blocking and modification of the relevant information, because I believe that these contents are very sensitive and involve secret information. They should be kept strictly confidential and the enemy must not know our true situation and losses. At the same time, peace and war issues, The issue of separate peace negotiations is closely related to the alliance's joint operations. Before the relevant authorities express their opinions, as the vice president, especially the vice president who exercises the power of the president, it is very inappropriate for you to spread these words. I think politicians should be cautious about what they say. Be careful, otherwise it will seriously affect the image of the country, the image of the government, and the image of the leader. If you go by what you said, the news about Senator Truman's impeachment should also be released, right?" Hoover laughed on the phone. He said without a smile, "What if every time there were new ideas in Congress, the public wouldn't get angry and rebel? Besides, I didn't block all media, but only targeted the major ones such as the New York Times and the Washington Post. ", "The Christian Monitor", CBS, etc. have strictly restricted it. I don't care about those tabloids. If you want to have fun, I will have a dozen delivered to you right away and keep it to your satisfaction..."
Wallace's lungs were about to explode. What Hoover listed was the main and most important news media. It was the main channel for obtaining information for the American middle class. It was also a man with a higher level of education, a decent career and a passion for politics. The main source of information for everyday people, because these media are basically considered serious and credible. As for the tabloids, they publish some ridiculous news year after year, and Wallace's remarks are not surprising at all, and at most they can only earn a scornful smile.
Hoover had thought carefully about arresting the big ones and releasing the small ones. He had a strong deterrent effect on the mainstream media. Why should those unscrupulous tabloids care about them? These have long been a piece of meat. If we restrict them in a big way, we might end up raising our status, which would cause even greater trouble.
Wallace suppressed his anger and said to Hoover word by word: "I hope you will pay attention to the fact that we have a responsibility to let the people listen to what I said about the truth and American interests. This information is for both the enemy and us. They are all under control and will not cause leaks. I ask all major mainstream media to report it seriously without hindrance tomorrow.”
"Sorry, I cannot agree to your request."
"You..." Wallace said, "Since you don't agree, it doesn't matter. Just submit your resignation. I think you are not suitable to stay in this position. I hope to see your resignation before get off work today. I will Approved as soon as possible.”
"I know." With a click, Hoover hung up the phone without even bothering to say goodbye, making Wallace very angry.
In fact, Hoover was not afraid of him at all. After he issued the blockade order yesterday, the top FBI officials who always had objections unanimously approved it. The reason is very simple. After the introduction of the "Loyalty Act", all the top FBI officials who are really in power They were gradually replaced by people of Anglo-Saxon descent or Jewish descent. Of course they were not happy when they heard that Wallace was going to stop aiding Britain, so Hoover's orders were carried out unimpeded and implemented as quickly as possible.
Wallace thought that if Hoover did not resign today, he would write a letter of dismissal and remove him from office when he got off work. As for the generals in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he hesitated and decided not to move for now, only to use Hoover for surgery - he must break this self-righteousness and change the situation that is related to the major interests and future development direction of the United States and is closely related to the American people. The decision-making process is equivalent to backroom politics, small group politics or behind-the-scenes politics. The American people must have transparent and extensive channels to participate in and discuss politics. The government should listen more to the direct opinions of the people and truly root them in the people when making decisions. expectations.
After lunch, he reviewed a pile of documents. As the wall clock rang, he found that the time had reached 3 p.m., and he suddenly became strange. A full 13 hours had passed since Churchill took off (Washington is 5 hours slower than London). Hours later, Churchill took off at 7 a.m. London time, and it was still only 2 a.m. in Washington), so why was there no news of arrival? He immediately picked up the phone and asked: "Why is there no news about His Excellency Churchill? Is he okay on the way?"
"Your Excellency..." The chief of staff also felt a little confused. "The Prime Minister has arrived. Your Excellency, the Secretary of State, will accompany him to the hospital first. He will be back here in a while. I will inform you before coming."
"I know." Wallace sulked again: When Churchill came to visit Washington, he didn't first visit the Vice President who was in charge of the work and acting on his behalf, but instead went to the hospital to visit Roosevelt first? What is this attitude? Even if you are going to go, at least say hello first, right? You first came without saying hello and uninvited, and then you went directly to see Roosevelt without saying hello. Do you only have Roosevelt in your eyes?
However, no one came when I got off work. Neither Hoover came to submit his resignation, nor Churchill, who had promised to come to visit. Wallace couldn't help but become annoyed and said directly: "Prepare a car, take me to the hospital, I will visit the president."
"Okay, I'll get ready right away."
Just when he was uneasy, Churchill, accompanied by Hull, had launched a round of crisis public relations in Roosevelt's ward.
"Your Excellency, President, you want to save Great Britain and save tens of millions of free people who are threatened by the Nazis..." Churchill choked on his words, his eyes were red, and it seemed that he had not slept well all night. This is actually the case. When they learned through secret channels that the United States might interrupt the Aid Bill, especially after Marshal Dill sent an urgent telegram of 100,000 yuan to London, Churchill's cabinet panicked. Both those who are standing up and those who are falling down acknowledge the fact that without US aid supplies, Great Britain simply cannot survive three months. During the previous Battle of Newfoundland and Cape Verde, Britain faced a severe test. Fortunately, in the end, the Atlantic Combined Fleet used a tactic of losing 1,000 of its own and killing 500 of the enemy to force the Germans back, and then resumed the British-Canada route.
U.S. aid is a lifeline for Great Britain. It not only delivers supplies but also confidence. Wallace is about to stop aiding Britain. How can Churchill look good on him?
Hull also scorned Wallace's popular politics and isolationism. Even if you think about it from the bottom up, you can see why the Secretary of State is unhappy: diplomacy is basically the daily work of the Secretary of State. Stopping aid to Britain and the Soviet Union will put the government under great pressure. , other partners will definitely put pressure on Washington. Who will deal with these challenges? Isn't it better for him, Hull, to wipe someone's butt?
"Winston, don't worry, aiding Britain is our established policy, and this will not change unless we are forced to surrender." Roosevelt comforted him, "The United States and Britain are staunch allies who depend on each other and share weal and woe. The friendship between the two sides is How could it be possible to break off what was formed together in the war against fascism and Japanese militarism?”
"But, I heard that His Excellency the Vice President..."
"Young people are ignorant and will turn around after hitting their head against the wall." Roosevelt smiled slightly, "It's also my fault. He's not in good health. I originally wanted him to act as an agent for a few days to reduce the burden, but I didn't expect such a big turmoil to happen."
"That's good, that's good..." Churchill said quickly, "I feel relieved with your words, but I still hope to communicate with the Vice President face to face to clarify the misunderstanding..."
"Of course, I will choose to hold a press conference to tell the allies that we will continue to firmly support them and continue to fight Nazi Germany and its followers, Japan, to the end."
Three minutes later, the chief of staff called Wallace: "Sir, you don't need to go to the hospital. The President has come to the White House accompanied by the Secretary of State and Prime Minister Churchill. In addition, he informed you that his body has recovered. To the point where the presidential power can be exercised normally, the relevant acting authorization will be suspended immediately, and you can relax..."