"Did the United States provide military support to Venezuela in the form of warships?"
"Yes. I was also extremely shocked when I heard this news."
Hans could hardly believe it and confirmed the news again.
However, Edward VII's answer remained the same.
"Theodore Roosevelt, this 'Teddy' guy, is he crazy?"
This wasn't something that should have happened in history.
Of course, ever since Hans appeared, history had indeed deviated from its original course.
But in any case, among all the things he had done, there was nothing that could have led to the United States providing military support to Venezuela.
After all, in the 20th century, Hans, in Germany, had only had one encounter with the United States.
That was to solve the Tesla problem and destroy the Wardenclyffe Tower.
No matter how one thought about it, that incident couldn't have triggered such a huge butterfly effect that led to the situation where the United States provided warships to Venezuela.
Moreover, there was no evidence indicating that he was related to this matter.
"Of course, the United States didn't directly hand over the warships to Venezuela. According to the report from the intelligence personnel, they provided support to Venezuela indirectly through a third country in South America. Nevertheless, this is nothing but a case of deceiving oneself."
After Edward VII finished speaking, he twirled his beard.
He was clearly also dissatisfied with the tough attitude of the United States and President Roosevelt.
After all, soon at the end of this year, Britain and Germany would jointly impose a naval blockade on Venezuela.
But if the United States suddenly intervened, things would become extremely complicated.
In the worst-case scenario, this kind of thing might lead to a military conflict with the United States.
If it came to that, the German Empire and Britain might, in an attempt to get rid of the small trouble that was Venezuela, invite the big trouble that was the United States.
"Hmm, this ship looks familiar. It turns out to be the USS Philadelphia."
"Willy?"
Just as Hans and Edward VII were pondering the intentions of the United States, Wilhelm II, who had been carefully observing the photo, suddenly spoke up, and Edward VII was obviously surprised at how he recognized the ship.
"Did this guy recognize it just like that?"
Was he such a big fan of ships?
Anyway, unlike Hans and Edward VII, Wilhelm II seemed to know the warship in the photo very well.
"What kind of ship is this?"
"It's an American protected cruiser. Hans, this is an old ship that entered service in 1889. As far as I know, this ship should be on the verge of retirement, but the United States actually gave it to Venezuela."
An old ship that was about to be retired.
Indeed, the first iconic battleship of the United States, the BB-01 USS Indiana, had only been in service for seven years.
The United States, which had not yet evolved into a superpower, regarded each of its warships as a precious resource.
Therefore, it was impossible for the United States to give a warship that was still in service to Venezuela, which was not an ally.
"However, Hans, didn't you say before that the United States wouldn't actively intervene in the Venezuelan issue?"
Hans had indeed said so.
He had originally thought that would be the case.
"But Mr. Teddy seems to have suddenly made a strange decision and forcefully intervened."
Contrary to Hans' expectations, it seemed that the United States was really prepared to intervene in the Venezuelan issue at all costs?
No, maybe not.
If the United States really had that intention, they couldn't have only sent an old protected cruiser that was about to be retired to Venezuela.
"Your Majesty, apart from this warship, has the United States taken any other actions to support Venezuela?"
"As far as I know, there haven't been any."
"That's strange. If the United States genuinely wants to help Venezuela resist Britain and Germany, just sending a cruiser is clearly not enough."
"Yeah, that's true."
To be honest, the Venezuelan navy might not even have a decent armored ship.
In such a situation, the United States sending an old protected cruiser to Venezuela was almost the same as Cao Cao giving Xun Yu an empty box, which was completely meaningless.
"Obviously, there is another purpose."
What exactly could it be?
What could have prompted the United States to adopt such a tough attitude?
Just as Hans was thinking, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
"The Kaiser Friedrich?"
"Hans?"
"The Kaiser Friedrich! Your Majesty, the reason why the United States is doing this is because of our new battleship of the German Empire!"
"What do you mean? The United States is supporting Venezuela because of the Kaiser Friedrich?"
Wilhelm II clearly didn't understand what Hans meant and looked at him with a confused expression.
In contrast, Edward VII showed an expression of sudden realization and punched his palm with his fist.
"I see! The timing is indeed very opportune."
"Uncle?"
"Think about it, Willy. Right now, the United States is having a conflict with our British Empire and the German Empire because of the Venezuelan issue."
At the same time, the German Empire actually launched a new battleship with the latest technology at this moment?
And after its launch, Germany also announced that it would take military action against Venezuela?
"It's no wonder the United States is wary."
"Furthermore, Your Majesty, there are currently rumors in the United States that our Germany covets the territory of Venezuela."
"Hah! Does that ridiculous nonsense still circulate? We are just going to punish Venezuela for its arrogant behavior!"
"Who would believe such words?"
In fact, the Americans don't believe it either, and even the British, who are temporarily on the same side as Germany, don't believe it.
And even if Wilhelm II angrily claims that it is a slander, it doesn't help at all.
Because here, the truth doesn't matter at all.
What's important is that such words sound quite reasonable to the Americans, and in the eyes of the U.S. government, which has to take public opinion into account, it has to respond to this.
"This is a warning. The United States is taking the Venezuelan issue so seriously, which is a warning to us not to act recklessly."
At the same time, it also means that if Britain and Germany continue to be tough, the United States may intervene in the Venezuelan issue.
And once Britain and Germany hesitate about military action because of this, the United States is likely to mediate between the two parties in a timely manner through persuasion or threats.
In this way, the United States can not only save face but also enhance its international status.
This is indeed an action in the style of Theodore Roosevelt.
It's just that Roosevelt didn't expect that Wilhelm II extremely hates any behavior that offends his self-esteem.
"Those Yankees actually dare to look down on me and the German Empire...!"
Wilhelm II gritted his teeth and growled.
In the eyes of Europeans at this time, the United States is still just a wealthy second-rate power.
In fact, this is also the truth.
However, for the United States to treat Germany in a contemptuous manner is undoubtedly an infuriating thing for Wilhelm II.
"Since they are so afraid of our new battleship of the German Empire, let them see the reality."
"Er... Your Majesty?"
However, Wilhelm II's next words surprised not only Edward VII but also Hans.
Wilhelm, surely you don't mean...
"The Kaiser Friedrich. Send the Kaiser Friedrich to Venezuela."
"What? Your Majesty, the Kaiser Friedrich is still a long way from being officially commissioned!"
Normally, a warship won't be assigned a mission immediately after its launch. Even if it enters service, it needs to conduct trial voyages for months or even years to confirm that there are no problems with the ship.
Of course, in history, the HMS Dreadnought was indeed commissioned just 10 months after its launch, but the Kaiser Friedrich is less than six months away from its launch.
This is too soon.
"If Your Majesty insists on dispatching a warship, it would be more appropriate to send other warships instead of the Kaiser Friedrich," Hans suggested cautiously, but Wilhelm II, who was angry at the tough attitude of the United States, was uncompromising.
Instead, he once again surprised everyone with his whimsical remarks.
"There is no better training than actual combat. It is just right for dealing with Venezuela. Uncle, does Britain have any objections?"
"No, Willy, do as you please."
Perhaps it can also be an opportunity to verify the performance of the Dreadnought.
After Edward VII murmured to himself, he readily nodded in agreement with Wilhelm's proposal.
Oh, no.
How did things develop like this?
"Britain initially held a contemptuous attitude towards the Dreadnought..."
Now, this will undoubtedly make the value of the Dreadnought known to the world.
Of course, it was impossible to hide it forever.
"What's more, Britain has Admiral Fisher, who can be called the true creator of the Dreadnought."
Furthermore, even if it's not Britain, sooner or later other countries will start building Dreadnought-class battleships on their own. For example, the Japanese Satsuma-class or the American South Carolina-class battleships, which were forced to modify their designs due to technical limitations.
This is the trend of the times.
"Wait a minute. Thinking about it the other way around, this might be a rather good opportunity?"
The Venezuelan crisis, the Dreadnought...
If these two are combined properly, it may not bring huge profits, but at least it can bring some small gains.
This will also be of great help to his plan.
With this thought in mind, Hans immediately changed his attitude and said to Wilhelm II, "Thinking carefully, from the perspective of accumulating experience and having a debut, Your Majesty's suggestion is indeed a good idea. Sending the Kaiser Friedrich to Venezuela may be better than expected."
"Hmm?"
"The Venezuelan navy is negligible, and the United States is unlikely to really want to go to war with us."
Although the United States may indeed send a fleet as a precaution, even so, the probability of actual engagement is still very low.
Because neither Germany, Britain, nor the United States, despite their fierce words, has the intention to really start a war.
"Hahaha! Hans, I knew you would understand."
Seeing Hans' change of attitude, Wilhelm II showed a satisfied smile.
As for his mood, Hans actually didn't care.
"It seems that I have to stay in Britain for a while."
By then, he and Edward VII will have more things to talk about.
Whether it's good news or bad news.
...
Not long after, at the German naval port of Kiel.
"Are we going to assign the Kaiser Friedrich to the fleet dispatched to Venezuela?"
"Yes, Deputy Captain."
"Is it going to be commissioned already? This is way too fast, isn't it?"
It has only been six months since the Kaiser Friedrich was launched.
Not only is it going to be commissioned immediately, but it is also going to join the expeditionary fleet directly?
"How could Admiral Tirpitz and the naval high command issue such an order?"
During the trial voyage, the performance of the Kaiser Friedrich far exceeded the initial expectations of the Imperial German Navy.
Therefore, in the current German Navy, the Kaiser Friedrich is regarded as a treasure, just like Gollum regards the One Ring.
However, in such an atmosphere, the naval high command suddenly decided to send the Kaiser Friedrich to Venezuela?
No matter how one thought about it, it didn't make sense.
"Could it be...?"
"Is it an order from His Majesty?"
"Yes."
As expected.
The deputy captain pondered and his expression became serious.
The order he received stated "The mission of the expedition to Venezuela for practical combat training."
Of course, whether it was himself or the Kaiser Friedrich, even if the entire Venezuelan navy launched a siege, he was fully confident in sacrificing them all to Poseidon, the god of the sea.
However, the problem lay with the crew on the ship.
The crew of the Kaiser Friedrich were almost all experienced veterans, which also demonstrated its importance in the German Navy.
But it was still too early to say that these people had fully mastered this latest battleship equipped with new technologies.
"Although an ordinary mission should not be a problem... However."
Navigation was always accompanied by unknown risks.
To be honest, he didn't want to take this risk.
"However, the order must be obeyed."
As a German noble who would never back down in the face of the enemy and also a proud member of the Imperial Navy, no matter who the order came from, he could only obey.
"We have to convey the news to Captain Hof as soon as possible. We need to act quickly for the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean."
After experiencing countless competitions and the envious glances of his colleagues, the deputy captain of the new battleship Kaiser Friedrich, Maximilian Johannes Maria Hubert Reichsgraf von Spee, gave the order and adjusted his hat.
The moment of battle had arrived.