Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Chapter 298 The major factions in the White House

North America, Commonwealth of America, White House.

President Lincoln held a cabinet meeting.

This time, in addition to President Lincoln (Irish origin), there were also Vice President and Senate Speaker Andrew Johnson (Dutch origin), Secretary of State Seward (German origin), and Treasury Secretary James Speed ​​(Dutch origin). , Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (German), Secretary of the Interior Elihu B. Washburn (Irish), Attorney General Marty Grice (Dutch), Secretary of Agriculture Galante ( Irish), Industry Secretary Mayorkas (Hispanic), Postal Secretary Larry O'Brien (Irish), Education Secretary Galante (German), Energy Secretary Granholm (Italian)

"Your Excellency, now that the new ruler of Japan in the Pacific West, Emperor Meiji, has taken great power and officially announced that he will learn Western culture and technology from the West, we have just taken the opportunity to expand in this country with a population of more than 40 million. To expand the presence of the Commonwealth of America, we cannot allow the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to compete for hegemony here. This is definitely a very good opportunity for us and the best time for the Commonwealth of America to intervene in this region."

Secretary of State Seward's profound eyes cast a veiled light, and he said without saying a word or humbly: "If the Commonwealth of America can gain a firm foothold in Japan, then in the future the Commonwealth of America will break the bottleneck of development and will be in the United States." Flying in the other direction to find ways to develop, I call it the double-headed eagle policy."

A "puff" of laughter broke the grand blueprint that Siward had worked hard to create and set off, and the atmosphere suddenly broke.

Everyone couldn't help but look at the smaller man next to them. When their eyes came, everyone realized that it was James Speed, the Minister of Finance of the Commonwealth of America.

The latter pursed his lips and said he was embarrassed, but looked at Secretary of State Seward with "malice" on his face.

Secretary of State Seward secretly said something was wrong. He, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, and Secretary of Education Galante looked at each other quickly, and they could clearly see the helplessness of the other two.

Secretary of State Seward secretly said: "These guys of Dutch origin have become more and more arrogant recently. We have to find a way to cure each other, but"

He secretly glanced at Vice President Andrew Johnson next to President Lincoln. This guy Andrew Johnson was indeed a strong enemy. Whenever he was dealing with other people, he would always pretend to stay out of it, but in fact he was the one behind the scenes. Everyone is him.

This time, there was no need to think about it, and I knew that Treasury Secretary James Speed’s deliberate interruption must have come from him.

Vice President Andrew Johnson, Secretary of the Treasury James Speed, and Attorney General Marty Grice are the representatives of the American Confederacy in today's Lincoln administration.

It is also the second largest faction within the American Republican Party, besides the Irish faction, which is equal to the German faction.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but secretly hate that Lincoln was indeed an old fox. He knew how to use the Dutch to suppress the Germans, but instead allowed the Irish to dominate.

However, dissatisfaction is dissatisfaction, but I have to admit that this balance is quite good.

At least the British and French were not in Lincoln's cabinet.

Suddenly, something moved in his heart, and he looked at the Hispanic Minister of Industry Mayorkas and the Italian Minister of Energy Granholm.

These two people have always been centrists, so maybe they can be won over. That is, of course, assuming the Irish people behind Lincoln don't get involved.

But, is it possible?

Seeing the embarrassment on Seward's face, President Lincoln smiled secretly and asked dissatisfiedly: "James Speed, this is not a polite behavior of yours. You know, this office is supported by millions of taxpayers in the Commonwealth of America." Established, every instruction issued here is enough to change the lives of the Commonwealth of America and even many countries around the world. Therefore, this place must remain solemn. I think when we take the oath of allegiance to the national interests, we must have it in our hearts. Honest, right?"

When Finance Minister James Speed ​​heard this, his face straightened and he said extremely seriously: "Yes, God can testify that my loyalty is to the Commonwealth of America."

"Well, in that case, can I listen to your explanation? You know, not only me, but now the cabinet members are eagerly looking forward to your answer." Lincoln looked at James Speed ​​with bright eyes. , those eyes were bright and full of energy, their gaze seemed to be expecting, but it was more like oppressive.

Treasury Secretary James Speed ​​could not help but lower his head slightly to show respect for the president.

He said: "I am very impressed by Secretary Seward's patriotism, so I have been watching the Secretary of State's suggestions for the country and beyond. For this reason, I also silently judge others by myself and put myself in their shoes. I want to introduce the Secretary of State’s difficulties into it and see what the result will be, and finally”

Lincoln asked: "What happened in the end? You should explain it clearly."

James Speed ​​said with a wry smile: "In the end, I found that it seems difficult for our Treasury to keep up with the pace of the Secretary of State. The Western States Railway alone spent more than 20% of the fiscal budget. Starting in 1861, recently In the past six years of constant war, our fiscal and tax revenues have actually been reduced by more than 10%, and domestic industrial growth has almost stopped. On the contrary, foreign industrial countries are developing rapidly.

One thing is going down, and the other is going up, but we are far behind, not to mention.”

James Speed ​​forgot about Lincoln and said: "What's more, now that the South is independent, our national strength has actually been reduced. As soon as the war with Britain and the South ceased, we set sail in the Western Pacific, seemingly regardless of the wounds. It looked like he would go back to the battlefield once the bleeding stopped.

Therefore, when the budget of our Ministry of Finance is difficult to support, if Japan rashly breaks into conflict or even war with the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, of course, this is the last thing I want. I think we should recuperate our health for the time being, and then head west to the Pacific Ocean, which is what needs to be done most at the moment."

When he saw that Secretary of State Seward was about to speak, he was the first to say: "Even if we want to march into the Western Pacific, I think we should wait until the French Empire's invasion of the Kingdom of Siam subsides. Then is the best time for us to participate, and It is not the current source of conflict.”

There is another sentence he did not say. Even if he wants to join the struggle there, he should not follow the path of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, instead of being as radical as Seward. Obviously, the Berlin side of the Kingdom of Prussia should What instructions were issued? Obviously, he wanted to make the water more turbid so that the Kingdom of Prussia, which had just annexed the German Federation, would have time to digest it. After the digestion was completed, the fishermen would benefit from participating. Obviously, this was Seward's purpose.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Vice President Andrew Johnson, who was beside him.