A flash of excitement flashed across Roosevelt's face. If there is anyone in the country who is most interested in the Panama Canal, there is no doubt that he, the former Deputy Secretary of the Navy who initiated the establishment of a large navy, must be one of them. As for the Spanish-American War, it was difficult for the U.S. Navy fleet to mobilize

The shortcomings of the U.S. Navy have been fully exposed. This means that if it were to face Spain, if it were replaced by a real power, such as Britain, France, and Germany, the U.S. Navy would be in danger.

As if he knew Roosevelt's inner thoughts, Sheffield said at the right time, "In other words, we have encountered Spain. What if we really encounter the naval fleets of Britain, France, Germany, Russia, or even Japan, and the navy cannot concentrate its strength? What should we do?

.”

The strength of the navy can be reflected in many aspects, but it has nothing to do with the so-called naval tradition and rich experience. Is the Spanish naval tradition strong enough? Is the experience rich enough? What will be the result of encountering the US Navy? My tonnage comparison

You are bigger, the artillery is farther than you, and as long as the quality of the soldiers is not too bad, it is a one-sided defeat.

If the current U.S. naval fleet is given to Beiyang, Beiyang can also kill the Spanish fleet, and the Spanish naval tradition will still be wiped out. There will be no U.S. fleet in a hundred years, and the Republic will have already given up on some navies that think they have naval traditions, even the Indians.

He believes that he has used aircraft carriers for a long time and has a more naval tradition than the Republic.

Except for some soldiers in the Spanish Navy, how many people would think that Spain could really win the Spanish-American War?

Since Roosevelt liked the navy, Sheffield talked to him about the navy and sighed, "Japanese people account for nearly half of Hawaii's population, and the United States has limited control over the Pacific. If a war breaks out in the Pacific, we will have to go around more than 10,000 miles."

To support? By then the Rising Sun Flag has been flying for several months, right? But compared to the Pacific, the other side of the Atlantic is a naval power, and the navy's force allocation must be based on the Atlantic. Do we need to specify a standard and a fleet to deal with it?

Japan, another fleet to deal with Europe?"

Roosevelt did not speak. It was of course unrealistic to do so. I am afraid that even Roosevelt himself would not dare to imagine setting a standard for a fleet to compete with the opponent's entire maritime power based on an imaginary enemy.

After the canal was opened, the main force of the U.S. Navy could be transferred from the east coast to the west coast in less than half a month.

"So once the Panama Canal falls into our hands, it will become very important." Roosevelt looked solemn. He had a deep understanding of this. When something happened to the French Canal Company, he was quite happy.

The difficulty of digging the Panama Canal far exceeded the expectations of the French. At the same time, the French Canal Company also had problems in its operation and management. The senior management headed by Lesseps openly embezzled money while the project was unsustainable.

canal stock funds issued; in order to cover up the truth, it continued to issue additional bonds, and the company used large sums of money to bribe officials. One hundred and fifty ministers and members of the French government accepted bribes. However, the paper could not stop the fire, and the French Interoceanic Canal Company

The company was at the end of its rope and had to declare bankruptcy, and the Lesseps people also went to court.

The French Canal Company that Sheffield faced this time was already a reorganized company. But the problem was still the same, the difficulties were still there, and the French were still unable to advance or retreat.

"William, you must have come here to seek help from me." Roosevelt probably understood the reason why he came to the door, but he was still very surprised that this man could help at first glance, "Why are you looking for me?"

Of course it's because I hold the truth about the explosion of the USS Maine in my hand! Sheffield did not say what was in his heart, but said, "Because Governor, your enthusiasm for naval construction is true. You can see at a glance that the Panama Canal

Importance. Only you can promote this matter regardless of party interests. To be honest, there are not many politicians who are responsible."

Listening to Sheffield's compliment, Roosevelt felt unhappy, which must be false. The scale of the United Company has been reduced to a handful in the United States, especially in the past two years, which has shocked everyone. Being recognized by the heirs of this company is also shocking.

He was happy and felt a bit like a year-end friend.

When Sheffield saw Roosevelt's appearance, he couldn't help but think of a line in his mind, "The only hero in the world is his envoy!" I believe this is probably what Roosevelt feels now.

"You want me to lead some Republicans to support the passage of the Panama Canal proposal." Roosevelt showed a hint of understanding and praised, "This is a big project, and it is likely to cause competition for the interests of all parties. It is very offending.

Human affairs are very difficult to deal with!"

"In the interests of the country, there is no need to distinguish between parties!" Sheffield knew that Roosevelt was asking for a price, and what benefits would he get if the other party could help him. Talking rationally will not work, and he must come up with something practical.

Sheffield knew that Roosevelt had political ambitions and said without hesitation, "Time flies so fast, and the election is coming soon. Four years are the cycle. In fact, I don't care who wins, the Republican or the Democratic Party. The key is this president."

How are the candidates doing? I have no dislike for President William McKinley, nor do I dislike any Republican."

The last election between William Bryan and William McKinley, to be honest, although William McKinley had the great help of many large companies, it was not easy to win. The gap between the two sides was only a millimeter. Especially in the last few days,

William Bryan's desperate counterattack scared many people who paid attention to the election into a cold sweat.

Sheffield naturally knows that in the upcoming election, William Bryan has lost his original magic power. However, only he himself knows this matter, and the Republican camp does not know. When the Republican camp recalls the election, it will only feel

There is lingering fear in my heart.

He can give Roosevelt a guarantee now that the Democratic Party will not win, and he will not give support to the Democratic Party. To be honest, he is trying to use an election that is destined to fail to exchange for the support of some Republicans led by Roosevelt.

"If one day Mr. Roosevelt wants to run for president, I would be happy to hear about it." Sheffield put on a gentle smile and dropped another heavyweight bomb.

"I haven't thought about running for president." Roosevelt showed a standard smile in front of Sheffield. He knew that he still had to wait if William McKinley made no mistakes.

"Actually, if you have the ability, it is not shameful to take on greater responsibilities." Sheffield directly filtered out Roosevelt's statement that he did not want to be president, which was a complete lie.

Everyone in later generations knows that the longest-serving president of the United States was Roosevelt Jr., and that president was the nephew of Theodore Roosevelt. He served four consecutive terms as president, and finally died in the position of president.

But the first person who wanted to break the two-term presidential rule was not Roosevelt Jr., but Theodore Roosevelt in front of him. Theodore Roosevelt participated in three presidential elections. After already serving as president twice, he still had to run for office.

President. He was the first president to try to beat the number of re-election years.

Therefore, for such a person to say that he is not interested in the position of president is the same as Sheffield saying that he is not interested in money. Just ignore it. He is really stupid.

Sheffield did not hesitate to raise the price. As long as the Panama Canal was obtained, he could even facilitate Roosevelt's campaign. Anyway, the canal project would definitely not be completed in a short time. The two could cooperate for a long, long time.

"This is all for the United States. The government and enterprises must work hard for the arrival of the American century." Sheffield clasped his hands together tightly and spoke about the beautiful blueprint.

It can be said that Roosevelt promised to help, and the possibility of getting the Panama Canal passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate was much greater. As long as his arrangements on the French side and the Panama side do not miss the mark, this project will fall into his hands.

Once this project falls into the hands of the United Company, which leads the project, it will receive nonpartisan support from the federal government. Now there is only one issue at the federal level, and that is the voice of the Nicaragua Canal as an alternative.

Sheffield was still worried about this. After all, the Panama Canal took a long time, and there was already a lot of talk about opening a canal in Nicaragua. Roosevelt directly dispelled Sheffield's worries and said a very simple truth, "

Between two points, a straight line is the shortest."

The local climate in Panama is harsh, but is the climate in Nicaragua very good? You must know that the two places are not far apart and have the same climate. The difficulties in Panama are also the difficulties in Nicaragua. Roosevelt was directly handed over by Sheffield.

, if we can really win the rights to the Panama Canal, basically no one will choose the Nicaragua Canal.

"I'm relieved now!" Sheffield finally showed a relieved smile. In fact, he wanted to say that I was relieved to see such a rogue motherland, and he was afraid that Roosevelt wouldn't understand.

"If we can solve domestic problems, this project is half successful!" Returning to the hotel where he stayed, Sheffield hugged Natalia, who had been abducted, and took advantage of her tiredness.

Seeing Sheffield looking so exhausted, Natalia couldn't push him away. She could only feel the bursts of heat in her chest, and comforted her intermittently, "I don't understand what you are saying, but you better not be too tired."

.One person cannot make all the money.”
Chapter completed!