When Secretary Bryan arrived at the White House, most of the Cabinet members were already present. President Woodrow Wilson was engaged in conversation with Vice President Thomas R. Marshall. Clearly, there was some confusion regarding the urgent situation described by Bryan.
"Mr. Bryan, please have a seat. What on earth has happened?" President Wilson inquired.
"Mr. President, the Royal Navy suffered a catastrophic defeat yesterday, losing over ten capital ships. The Royal Navy is gravely weakened, and in their confrontation with the Germans, they have found themselves at a disadvantage," Secretary Bryan reported.
"What? How is this possible?"
"How could the Royal Navy lose to the Germans? They are supposed to be the strongest navy in the world!"
"Mr. Bryan, are you joking? How could the Royal Navy be defeated by the Germans?" questioned Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. He had always taken pride in the fact that the American Navy ranked third in the world, but now, with the German Navy's resurgence, his perspective was severely challenged. If the Royal Navy was indeed defeated, it would mean that the German Navy had become the world's premier naval force, a position the American Navy could not hope to rival.
"Mr. Daniels, I assure you, I am not jesting. In fact, the British ambassador has just left my office. The proud Anglo-Saxons have humbled themselves and are requesting support from the United States, hoping we might join their ranks in the fight against Germany," Secretary Bryan stated.
"Oh my God! The world is changing too rapidly! Those arrogant British are actually bowing to us? Haven't they always viewed us as nothing more than upstarts? I never imagined I would witness such a day!" Vice President Marshall chuckled.
The other members of the Cabinet joined in hearty laughter, reveling in the predicament of the British.
"Gentlemen, let us not be so quick to laugh. The British have apparently crumbled so soon, and this may not bode well for the United States. We must consider our next steps carefully to ensure that America derives maximum benefit from this situation," President Wilson cautioned. He had always viewed the war as a golden opportunity to expand America's influence. By capitalizing on the global conflict, America could significantly elevate its economy while simultaneously weakening the European powers. Such a scenario could allow the United States to rise to prominence and potentially supplant Britain as the world's preeminent power.
However, the fact that the British were faltering merely a month into the war was entirely unexpected for President Wilson. Germany's demonstrated strength was indeed formidable. Should Germany emerge victorious, it would not bode well for the United States. In that eventuality, America would be forced to retreat to the confines of its own continent, losing any aspirations of claiming the mantle of global leadership—an outcome that President Wilson found utterly unacceptable.
The Cabinet members fell silent. As President Wilson had noted, Germany's triumph in the war would not be advantageous for the United States.
"Mr. President, the longer this war continues, the more it benefits us. If the European powers are mired in mutual destruction, they will inevitably relinquish their global leadership. In that case, we could easily ascend to a position of dominance," remarked Secretary of War Lindley M. Garrison.
"Certainly, we hope the war drags on, as this would allow us to sell more war supplies to both sides. However, it is regrettable that the situation does not seem to be developing in our favor!" lamented Secretary of the Treasury William Gibbs McAdoo.
The current circumstances were indeed challenging for the United States. They were reluctant to see Germany win the war, yet they were equally unwilling to enter the conflict themselves.
"Mr. Daniels, if the American Navy were to ally with the British Navy, could we defeat the Germans?" President Wilson asked.
"Mr. President, we do not have specific information regarding the German Navy's capabilities. However, if the British were easily defeated, it is evident that the German Navy is exceptionally powerful. Currently, the American Navy possesses only ten dreadnoughts, with four more under construction, but they will not be ready for service anytime soon. The other battleships are pre-dreadnoughts, which have been rendered obsolete in modern naval warfare. If we were to join the fight, even alongside the British Navy, it would likely result in a stalemate at best," Secretary Daniels replied.
The expression on President Wilson's face darkened, as he found it difficult to accept such an outcome.
"Are we truly powerless to prevent the Germans from winning this war?" President Wilson questioned.
"Mr. President, I believe the British may have exaggerated their situation somewhat. While they have lost over ten capital ships, which indeed represents a severe blow to the Royal Navy, to claim that they have no capacity for retaliation is an exaggeration. From what we understand, the Royal Navy is currently constructing ten super-dreadnoughts armed with 381 mm main guns, expected to enter service next year. Therefore, the Royal Navy should still be capable of putting up a fight," Secretary Daniels explained.
"Then what do the British mean by this? Are they deliberately deceiving us to drag us into their camp?" Secretary Bryan queried.
"The British aren't necessarily deceiving us. I suspect that the Germans' overwhelming performance has left the Royal Navy feeling uncertain about their prospects in the war, which is why they are so eager for our support to draw us into the conflict," Secretary Daniels assessed.
President Wilson nodded, finding Secretary Daniels' analysis to be quite credible.
"Gentlemen, should we now consider joining the war? Should we align ourselves with the Allies against the Central Powers?" President Wilson asked.
"Mr. President, it may be premature to enter the war at this juncture; the situation remains unclear. While we cannot allow the Germans to emerge victorious, the United States must not easily entangle itself in this conflict," Secretary Garrison declared.