Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Venezuela Crisis (2)
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“His Majesty the Kaiser is hesitating over military intervention in Venezuela.”
“Military... intervention, you say?”
“Indeed. Hans, you must be aware of the current state of relations between Venezuela and our German Empire, right?”
“Yes, more or less. I was just reading newspaper articles about Venezuela a moment ago.”
“Then you know how much insult the Venezuelan government, Cipriano Castro, and that mad caudillo of Venezuela have heaped upon our German Empire.”
Chancellor von Bülow continued, furrowing his brow as if the mere thought made his blood boil.
“When Venezuela declared a halt to debt repayments, we should have sent in troops right then and shown those Venezuelans a lesson. We needed to put a stop to that Castro character strutting around so arrogantly.”
“But His Majesty didn’t do that.”
“True. He postponed it on the grounds of Venezuela’s civil war. But now is the time for a decision.”
“Is this because of Venezuela seizing the British ship this time?”
Chancellor von Bülow nodded at my words.
Why would Germany need to consider military action against Venezuela over a British ship seizure?
The reason was simple.
Britain, furious over the seizure, was now seeking full cooperation with Germany to put pressure on Venezuela.
And that pressure was...
“A naval blockade.”
“Exactly. Britain has proposed that our German Empire join them in deploying the navy to blockade Venezuela’s coast. The Kingdom of Italy has also expressed its willingness to participate.”
“And you intend to accept, Your Excellency.”
Chancellor von Bülow had maintained a hardline stance from the outset of the Venezuela crisis, insisting on naval deployment.
He didn’t particularly like Britain, but there was no reason to refuse when a properly enraged Britain wanted to join forces for a raid on Venezuela.
Venezuela had pulled far too much aggro for that.
Plus, there’s the pressure from the entrepreneurs who are up in arms over the Venezuela crisis.
German businessmen operating in Venezuela had essentially been robbed blind overnight because of Castro.
But our Kaiser, Wilhelm II, seemed to think differently.
“His Majesty is concerned about American intervention.”
“Because of the Monroe Doctrine.”
The Monroe Doctrine.
America’s foreign policy declaring it would no longer tolerate European intervention in the Americas.
As long as the Monroe Doctrine existed, Germany sending troops to Venezuela would inevitably provoke some response from the United States.
And Wilhelm II had no desire to dispatch the navy to Venezuela and risk war with America.
In truth, for all that Wilhelm II talks about war constantly, he tends to hesitate when it actually looms on the horizon.
That had been the case right before World War I broke out due to the Sarajevo incident.
Wilhelm II had exchanged telegrams with Nicholas II, desperately trying to avert war.
No one—not Germany, Britain, France, or Russia—wanted a world war.
But a chain of coincidences that defied the novel’s usual plausibility, the panicked military worried about revoking mobilization orders and looking weak, and the runaway nationalism beyond government control all synergized into the worst possible outcome, leading to humanity’s most catastrophic war.
In any case, Wilhelm II was currently hesitating on military action out of fear of friction with America.
Tirpitz’s claim that the Venezuela crisis itself was a British trap to pit Germany against America also played a role in opposing intervention.
That was going too far, though.
Britain wanted to resolve the Venezuela crisis as quickly as possible.
What benefit would they gain from sparking a military clash between Germany and America?
Even setting that aside, Wilhelm II’s desire to avoid friction with America as much as possible was a fairly realistic judgment.
No matter that America was just a second-rate power in this era, for Germany—with no decent footholds on the American continent—to cross the Atlantic and fight was practically impossible.
If America were truly prepared for war and intended to intervene aggressively in the Venezuela crisis.
Knowing the future, I smiled at Bülow.
“You owe me one now.”
“America won’t intervene?”
“Yes. Honestly, what does America have to gain by sacrificing their own young men for Venezuela?”
Having gone with Bülow to the Kaiser’s office, I stated this confidently to Wilhelm II.
Wilhelm II tilted his head with a ‘Is that so?’ expression.
“Of course, America will be wary if Germany takes military action in Venezuela. They must suspect we’re using the crisis as a pretext to expand into the Americas.”
“Hmm...”
“But contrary to what America thinks, our German Empire only intends to deploy troops to punish Venezuela’s outrageous behavior.”
“That’s true.”
Wilhelm II nodded, agreeing it made sense.
The Kaiser had no intention of colonizing some worn-out corner of the Americas—unlike other continents.
The Atlantic was too vast, and Germany’s influence there too weak.
“Unless the German Empire tries to occupy Venezuela, America won’t move directly. They’ll just issue condemnations for the sake of face.”
“Bülow, do you agree?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Moreover, Britain will be with us this time. Let them take the lead, and we Germans just reap the benefits.”
At Bülow’s words, Wilhelm II fell into thought.
But not for long.
“Very well. As you say, Bülow, if we let Britain take the front, even if something goes wrong, Germany won’t suffer.”
“Then...”
“Yes, yes. I authorize military intervention in Venezuela. Cooperating with Britain as well. Those insolent fools need a taste of fire.”
With Wilhelm II’s approval finally spoken, Bülow bowed as if he’d been waiting.
He threw me a wink of gratitude as a bonus.
After that, things proceeded smoothly.
With the Kaiser’s permission secured, Bülow—who had prepared in advance—quickly obtained military and Reichstag approval, then immediately declared punishment for Venezuela.
“The German Empire declares it will take strong measures against Venezuela’s suspension of foreign debt repayments, refusal to compensate for damages to German property, and insulting actions toward our nation. Furthermore, we make clear that, contrary to rumors in certain foreign press, this is not an attempt by the German Empire to seize Venezuelan territory as a colony under the pretext of debt repayment refusal. It is solely to punish the Venezuelan government’s insults to Germany and to recover our German citizens’ property.”
“Chancellor! Does this strong response include military intervention by the German Empire in Venezuela?”
To the reporter covering Bülow’s announcement, the Chancellor nodded confidently.
“Of course. The German Empire is prepared to resort to force if Venezuela shows no willingness to negotiate.”
“As you know, not only Germany but also the British and Italian governments have declared hardline stances against the Venezuelan government. Does this mean there has been coordination between Germany, Britain, and Italy?”
“The German Empire views cooperation with the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Italy positively. Does that answer your question?”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“Th-then, does that mean Germany, Britain, and Italy might take joint military action?”
“If necessary.”
Journalists scribbled furiously and snapped camera shutters at Bülow’s near-confirmation.
The German Empire was on the move.
Alongside the British Empire and the Kingdom of Italy—Europe’s great powers.
And this had more than enough force to stir waves across the Atlantic.
“Germany’s making its move?”
“Not just Germany. Britain and Italy have also vowed to punish Venezuela and are preparing for military action. Essentially, the three nations are jointly responding to Venezuela.”
“The German Empire, the British Empire, and even the Kingdom of Italy. Quite the lineup.”
The man grumbled as he poured malt whiskey into his glass.
Castro was a real piece of work. Turning not one, but three European powers into enemies.
“In the eyes of these Europeans, our United States still looks like the weak fledgling nation from a century ago, fresh off independence?”
Taking military action in Venezuela could seem like ignoring America from the U.S. perspective.
Setting aside Venezuela, the crisis’s instigator, if America just watched these European powers run rampant, its face in the Americas would hit rock bottom.
Thus, America had to respond.
“We’ll need a speech prepared. Something condemning the European powers’ radical and hasty military actions in the Americas.”
Of course, this was mostly America reiterating—over and over—its grave concern over Monroe Doctrine violations.
Besides, were the British or Germans the type to heed American bluster?
It was largely face-saving.
And America had no real intention of seriously helping Venezuela anyway.
Why should the freedom-loving citizens of the republic sacrifice for a corrupt, violent dictator like Venezuela’s?
But the situation changed recently.
SMS Friedrich der Große.
The German Empire’s new battleship, dubbed Dreadnought by the British.
Reports say it’s an entirely new concept of battleship, unlike existing ones.
They hadn’t fully grasped its real performance due to lack of intel, but for a man who had served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and held deep interest in naval affairs, the Dreadnought was intriguing—yet also an eyesore.
Especially since Germany was now clashing with America over Venezuela.
If Germany intervenes militarily in Venezuela, they’ll definitely deploy the navy—and they just unveiled this new battleship at such a timely moment.
It was mere coincidence, but America couldn’t help suspecting Germany’s intentions.
Rumors were already rife that Germany aimed to colonize Margarita Island in Venezuelan territory under the crisis pretext.
Of course, Germany knew this.
Thus, Prince Heinrich—who had just visited America after a sudden Russia trip, delaying his original February schedule—tried to shift the hostile U.S. mood positively, but with little success.
American public opinion still distrusted Germany, and even if Germany had no such plans, America had to heighten vigilance just in case.
So, contrary to his initial thoughts, the man decided to take a slightly harder line against Europe.
“Is the ‘gift’ I prepared ready to head to Venezuela?”
“Yes. But is this really necessary? It could provoke Britain and Germany too much, leading to an uncontrollable situation.”
“That’s why I’m dispatching Admiral Dewey’s fleet to the Venezuelan coast as a precaution. Don’t worry. I have no intention of actually going to war with Europe.”
This was just a warning.
A warning from the United States to the arrogant European imperialists.
“Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far.”
The man—no, the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt—muttered his famous maxim as he downed his whiskey roughly.