The Actions of Enemies and the Silence of Friends
December 29, 2003
August 5, 1914
Harris quickly but quietly opened the white door to the Oval Office. He stepped in a shut it, grabbing the attention of President Wilson, who was standing on the far side of his desk with his hands on the surface.
“Mr. Wells, come in,” invited the President. Harris could sense the melancholy tone in his voice. He took a few more steps in a glanced over to William Bryan sitting on one of the room’s couches in a stiff and well-postured manner. “Mr. Bryan and I were just discussing the… less than ideal happenings over in Europe.”
“Yes,” Bryan slowly rose, smoothing his pant legs and jacket, “the President and I are considering the United States’ options.” The three men, simultaneously, began to move towards the center of the office and met near the center. “As Secretary of State,” Bryan continued to speak, “I have informed the President that I believe the best course of action is to stay out of the war at the moment.”
“Really,” Harris said, surprised and perplexed. Out of Wilson’s entire staff, Bryan was the last man Harris would have pegged as one to shy away from a fight. “What made you come to that conclusion, Mr. Bryan?” Bryan crossed his arms and painted a rather smug look on his face.
“It’s as clear as day,” he began, “that American interests in Europe aren’t exactly a priority at the moment. The Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, the Pacific – these parts of the world are what we should be concentrating on Within a year’s time or so, when our forces are built up, it should be no problem chasing the Germans out of Belgium and wherever else Bismarck decides to send his krauts.” Harris let out a sharp breath – he should have known this was going to be the kind of response he was going to get.
“I can’t say I’m surprise to see that kind of reasoning from you,” Harris rolled his eyes.
“Why can’t you-” Bryan began to snap back but was interrupted by the sound of the door to the office shutting again. All three men turned to see Josephus Daniels at the entrance. Proudly holding the position as Secretary of the Navy, Daniels was a man of strong character. He was accompanied by a young man with a walking cane that Wilson, Bryan or Harris hadn't seen before.
“Mr. President,” greeted Daniels strolled to the center of the room with his head held high, “and gentlemen.” The man with the cane following Daniels swiftly closed the door and rather slowly made his way to the rest of the group. As he did, Daniels introduced him. “This is my new under secretary, Franklin Roosevelt.” The man, mildly short of breath, held his hand out to Wilson.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. President,” Roosevelt said as the two men shook hands. Immediately after, he held his hand out to Bryan and Harris, complimenting them in a similar way. After the pleasant introduction, Wilson steered the conversation straight back to business.
“We’ve been discussing how the United States should respond to the recent European developments,” the President informed Daniels and Roosevelt.
“Hah, respond?” Daniels shook his head. “We’d be kidding ourselves if we thought our military would pose any real threat to the Germans or their allies! Mr. President, we’re not ready for a war – the countries involved have been building their military for years!”
“Then what do you suggest,” Wilson asked.
“We should just stick to expansion in the Pacific and possibly the Caribbean – forget Europe,” Daniels replied. Wilson turned and began to rub his forehead, trying to ease the splitting headache he was beginning to have. He sat down and laid back in his chair, considering al the men had said so far.
“I want a report on our naval strength,” ordered Wilson, “battleships, cruisers, everything.” Daniels motioned to Roosevelt who hastily made his way out of the room to gather the information. As the door shut, Bryan turned to Daniels.
“What’s with the cane,” Bryan pointed towards the door.
“Polio – hit him in the 20’s,” Daniels shook his head. “It’s a shame. He’s a promising lad, though, and he’s going places.” A short silenced followed, each of the men timid to break it.
“The army,” Wilson finally spoke, breaking the quiet. He leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk, “what’s our current status?”
“Quite frankly, our basic training has become a joke and we’re armed with sticks and stones. A band of kid-thugs from Daniels’s old neighborhood in New York has probably seen more action than most of our men.” Harris refused to sugarcoat anything of this importance. Wilson shook his head in frustration – he began to wonder how he’d get anything done with both hands tied behind his back.
“I wont’ allow this country to get into a fight it can’t win,” Wilson stood, “but we can’t just do nothing!”
“Supplies, sir,” Harris quickly interjected. Wilson, Daniels, and Bryan quickly glanced over to him.
“You can’t be serious,” Bryan laughed, “we have our own problems. We don’t’ need to send anyone our resources!”
“Wells is right,” Daniels spoke over Bryan’s objection, “our navy has enough convoy ships to send arms, supplies, money… And best of all, we can do it covertly.”
“I’m the last one who wants to send our men into combat over something that doesn’t really concern us,” Harris stepped closer to the President, “and this would be the best way to help our allies but keep our nose from getting bloodied.” Wilson thought for a moment.
“This is preposterous,” Bryan exclaimed. “You can’t be-”
“There’s a time for me to listen,” Wilson calmly interrupted, “and a time for me to act on what I feel is best. This is the time for me to act.”
“But sir-”
“That’s enough, William!” Wilson stood in anger, but quickly calmed down and gathered himself. “America will officially stay neutral for the time being. Spare supplies will be sent to the U.K. and France should they accept them.”
“What about the Russians, Mr. President,” Daniels asked.
“We’ll see,” Wilson moved out from behind the desk, “but the United Kingdom and France is our main concern at the moment. Other than that, our attention will be focused on the home front, immediate neighbors, and further expansion in the Pacific.”
August 6, 1914
NEWSFLASH: The New York Times. The United States has officially purchased and annexed the Virgin Islands from the Kingdom of Denmark as of today. Under the terms of the treaty, control of the small Caribbean islands will be gradually turned over to the United States over the time period of a year. Danish forces are prepped to leave and conscription of a small contingent of American troops is planned in the near future. Questions have been raised by many whether this is a way for the U.S. to provide friendly nations funds to defend against the mounting aggression of the Central Powers. Government officials have reportedly denied this. In any case, the Virgin Islands are now considered a colonial possession of the United States of America.
August 6, 1914
White House Memorandum to Senate and House. “President Wilson has called an emergency meeting for the Senate and House to announce his agenda for the end of this year and 1915 on October 15. Inform all senators as well as congressmen and clear any scheduled events or meetings that day.”
August 12, 1914
INTERNATIONAL NEWSFLASH: Brussels has fallen to advancing German armies, forcing the surrender and annexation of Belgium. Refugees flee to neighboring France to escape harsh German rule.
August 12, 1914
Military Intel Memorandum to White House. “Within the first week of the war, the nation of Belgium has surrendered to the Central Powers
Three major, bloody incursions on the Franco-German border have taken place, but neither side has made any progress. The death toll is expected to be around 25,000 men.
On the eastern front, Germany and Austro-Hungarian forces have made successful breaches into the Russian border, taking hold of a total of four provinces (two under German control and two under Austro-Hungarian). Minimal loss of Central Power forces has been reported whiles Russian forces have taken an unknown, but likely high, number of losses.
The Russo-Ottoman front has remained quiet as of yet. Sides on both forces are assumed to be amassing forces.
A minimal number of naval conflicts between the United Kingdom and Germany have been seen. Both nations’ main fleets are still near their home ports, traveling to unknown destinations. However, incursion between the two armadas look to be immanent.”
