Read Online 1920: America's Great War-eARC by Robert Conroy - Free Book Online
Authors: Robert Conroy
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“Shall we have tea and cakes while we discuss war?”
Navy Secretary Daniels made a rare small joke. “At least there’s no alcohol involved.” Josephus Daniels had raised a storm of controversy by banning alcoholic beverages from the Navy’s ships.
Daniels continued. “I must add a piece of information that only now makes sense. About two months ago, a very large German naval squadron left Wilhelmshaven in Germany, and steamed to their base in Cam Ranh Bay, in Indo-Chinese waters recently acquired from France as war booty. Assuming that the German Army does attack, I believe this powerful fleet might just appear off the California coast to assist it. If the Kaiser’s army is to invade on a particular date, the German naval force could easily plan to arrive off our cities on that same date.”
Lansing took a deep breath, “How large a fleet?”
“At least ten modern capital ships and a dozen or so cruisers and destroyers.”
“And our forces are much weaker,” said Admiral Coontz, “And not just in the Pacific.”
A reluctant Coontz had been in charge of enforcing the peace economies mandated by Woodrow Wilson. A number of warships had been decommissioned and were awaiting sale as scrap, and several naval bases had been closed. March added that a number of coastal forts run by the Army’s Coast Artillery Corps were in bad shape. These had been designed to protect major ports but were now mere skeletons. Part of the rationale for closing them was the fact that they were very vulnerable to attack by airplanes. Intelligence said that the Germans had a large but unknown number of fighters and bombers in Mexico, while the US had perhaps a dozen obsolescent British warplanes in California.
Statistically, the United States had the third largest navy in the world, but Germany was far ahead of her in second place. Great Britain’s Royal Navy was alone in first place, but a number of her ships were crewless and rusting in port as a result of peace treaty obligations.
“As of this moment,” Coontz continued, “our entire battle force consists of seven modern battleships and eight older ones. However, only three modern capital ships are at Mare Island on the west coast: the Nevada , Arizona , and Pennsylvania , and only the Arizona is ready for sea. The other two only have skeleton crews and will be obvious targets of the German fleet. The three older ships, the Kansas , Minnesota , and Michigan are already at less than half strength and would be useless in a battle with modern ships should the Germans attack Mare Island. I propose moving them to our base in Puget Sound. The base is far into the narrow waters of the Sound which should protect them. Also, the Sound is jointly held by us and Great Britain, which might deter a German attack.”
Lansing rubbed his eyes. “Then for God’s sake get the Arizona out of harm’s way immediately and get the others underway as quickly as possible along with anything else that can float. Yes, send them north to Puget Sound as soon as you can. I believe we can send ships out to sea without frightening anyone.”
The president stood. Every muscle in his body was tensing and he needed to stretch. “Admiral Coontz, what about the Marine Corps?”
“Approximately fourteen thousand men are scattered all over the world. Some are guarding embassies, some are maintaining discipline on what ships are now active, and others are in a variety of posts. We could likely organize a couple of regiments out of troops currently stateside. I will direct General Lejeune to commence immediately.”
“Jesus wept,” Lansing said. “Is there any good news at all?”
“Yes,” said Baker, smiling grimly, “these little cakes are really quite good.”
* * *
German tourists and travelers were not unusual along the railroad lines that ran east from California. This group of six men had arrived in San Francisco by ship the week before and had arranged train passage to St. Louis and then
Navy Secretary Daniels made a rare small joke. “At least there’s no alcohol involved.” Josephus Daniels had raised a storm of controversy by banning alcoholic beverages from the Navy’s ships.
Daniels continued. “I must add a piece of information that only now makes sense. About two months ago, a very large German naval squadron left Wilhelmshaven in Germany, and steamed to their base in Cam Ranh Bay, in Indo-Chinese waters recently acquired from France as war booty. Assuming that the German Army does attack, I believe this powerful fleet might just appear off the California coast to assist it. If the Kaiser’s army is to invade on a particular date, the German naval force could easily plan to arrive off our cities on that same date.”
Lansing took a deep breath, “How large a fleet?”
“At least ten modern capital ships and a dozen or so cruisers and destroyers.”
“And our forces are much weaker,” said Admiral Coontz, “And not just in the Pacific.”
A reluctant Coontz had been in charge of enforcing the peace economies mandated by Woodrow Wilson. A number of warships had been decommissioned and were awaiting sale as scrap, and several naval bases had been closed. March added that a number of coastal forts run by the Army’s Coast Artillery Corps were in bad shape. These had been designed to protect major ports but were now mere skeletons. Part of the rationale for closing them was the fact that they were very vulnerable to attack by airplanes. Intelligence said that the Germans had a large but unknown number of fighters and bombers in Mexico, while the US had perhaps a dozen obsolescent British warplanes in California.
Statistically, the United States had the third largest navy in the world, but Germany was far ahead of her in second place. Great Britain’s Royal Navy was alone in first place, but a number of her ships were crewless and rusting in port as a result of peace treaty obligations.
“As of this moment,” Coontz continued, “our entire battle force consists of seven modern battleships and eight older ones. However, only three modern capital ships are at Mare Island on the west coast: the Nevada , Arizona , and Pennsylvania , and only the Arizona is ready for sea. The other two only have skeleton crews and will be obvious targets of the German fleet. The three older ships, the Kansas , Minnesota , and Michigan are already at less than half strength and would be useless in a battle with modern ships should the Germans attack Mare Island. I propose moving them to our base in Puget Sound. The base is far into the narrow waters of the Sound which should protect them. Also, the Sound is jointly held by us and Great Britain, which might deter a German attack.”
Lansing rubbed his eyes. “Then for God’s sake get the Arizona out of harm’s way immediately and get the others underway as quickly as possible along with anything else that can float. Yes, send them north to Puget Sound as soon as you can. I believe we can send ships out to sea without frightening anyone.”
The president stood. Every muscle in his body was tensing and he needed to stretch. “Admiral Coontz, what about the Marine Corps?”
“Approximately fourteen thousand men are scattered all over the world. Some are guarding embassies, some are maintaining discipline on what ships are now active, and others are in a variety of posts. We could likely organize a couple of regiments out of troops currently stateside. I will direct General Lejeune to commence immediately.”
“Jesus wept,” Lansing said. “Is there any good news at all?”
“Yes,” said Baker, smiling grimly, “these little cakes are really quite good.”
* * *
German tourists and travelers were not unusual along the railroad lines that ran east from California. This group of six men had arrived in San Francisco by ship the week before and had arranged train passage to St. Louis and then
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