cicada

Chapter 1309 Declaration of War
1941 12 Month 7 Day.

4 p.m. Washington time.

President Roosevelt convened an emergency meeting of cabinet members and military advisers in the White House. The Secretary of the Navy first read out the losses in Pearl Harbor with an extremely sad tone and a slightly trembling voice.

太平洋舰队死亡2403人，失踪和重伤2233人；18艘舰只被击沉或受到重创；损伤战斗机188架，彻底炸坏159架；
This series of data made the participants dizzy. After this battle, the combat effectiveness of the Pacific Fleet was weakened to a very dangerous level, and it would be unable to carry out combat missions for at least half a year.

But there is also good news. When the attack occurred, several aircraft carriers were out at sea for training and did not return to port, so they luckily escaped.

Moreover, due to the concealed location or incorrect intelligence, the Japanese bombing did not cause fatal damage to the docks, oil depots and submarine depots.

In particular, the Red Mountain Oil Depot, which stores about 2.5 million gallons of fuel, is the main artery of the Pacific Fleet.

If a problem arises here, it will take a lot of transportation capacity and time just to transport the new fuel to Honolulu. Now every bit of transportation capacity is extremely precious and must not be wasted on transportation.

After listening to the report, Roosevelt's face was heavy. He turned to question the Director of Naval Intelligence, hoping that he could give him an explanation.

"You told me that the Japanese were targeting the Philippines. Now please answer why my Pacific Fleet was attacked. Why!!"

The president, who was known for his toughness, was furious. The only sound in the conference room was the sound of him hammering on the table. White House staff outside the door stopped and waited silently for the outcome of the meeting.

The Director of Naval Intelligence wiped the cold sweat from his head and explained with a bitter face: "Mr. President, the Japanese strategic deception was very successful."

"Shut up!" Roosevelt no longer had his usual composure and asked questions one after another.

"Are all your intelligence agents in Japan fools?"

"I remember that just a few days ago, you assured me solemnly that the damn Combined Fleet officers were resting in Tokyo, right?"

"How did they get from Tokyo to Honolulu? Was it by magic?"

The Director of Naval Intelligence was speechless. His subordinates told him more than once that the technical institutes in Tokyo were filled with Japanese naval officers and that the war was still a long way from America.

After venting his anger, Roosevelt paused and said, "Why was the Japanese ambassador late? He shouldn't have made such a low-level mistake."

The United States can accept open challenges, but will never allow despicable sneak attacks. The Japanese should be very clear about this.

So Saburo Nomura should have submitted the declaration of war before the attack. Even if it was only one second in advance, it would have resulted in two completely different results, at least in diplomacy.

The Director of Naval Intelligence breathed a sigh of relief, with a gloating expression on his face: "Nomura Saburo encountered trouble on his way to the White House. A group of Asians blocked his car on the road."

"Not only Nomura, but also the financial officer of the Japanese embassy was hit and killed by a truck. When the accident happened, the officer was about to go to the bank to transfer the embassy's funds."

Roosevelt was not happy when he heard this, but frowned instead. It was obvious that the Japanese were being targeted by a certain force, and this mysterious force knew that the Japanese were going to attack Pearl Harbor.

The murder of the Japanese embassy's financial officer and the delay in the time for Japan to submit a declaration of war were all troubles created for the Japanese by the mysterious forces.

The United States might be able to obtain intelligence channels on Japan from the other side, which was urgently needed by the United States at present. Roosevelt immediately asked the Director of the Naval Intelligence Agency whether he could find those Asians.

"Mr. President, we have actually made some discoveries." The Director of Naval Intelligence sat up straight and said excitedly, "A few days ago, a team of diplomats from the National Government arrived in Washington. They are secretly monitoring the Japanese in the embassy and the bank."

"The government?"

Roosevelt fell into deep thought. In his impression, the Republic of China's attitude towards the United States was very friendly, and Officer Wei should not have concealed the information about Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Then he looked at the sweaty Secretary of State: "Did Shancheng warn us?"

The Secretary of State thought to himself that this was bad, and hesitantly said, "Mr. President, please give me a moment. I need to review the relevant telegrams and documents."

Seeing the other side's reaction, Roosevelt understood that the National Government must have issued a warning, but it was ignored by his side.

He understood the Secretary of State's thinking. The warning from a weak East Asian country was indeed not credible.

But war was imminent, and as Secretary of State he could not ignore any valuable intelligence, even if it sounded ridiculous.

Roosevelt looked deeply at the Secretary of State, then moved his gaze to Hoover in the corner. The FBI director had not spoken since he came in and behaved extremely low-key.

"Director Hoover, please stay after this meeting. I have some work for the FBI to complete."

"Yes, Mr. President."

Faced with Roosevelt's order, Hoover's heart moved and he nodded slightly. He had already guessed the next task that the FBI would undertake.

8:30pm.

Roosevelt was escorted out of the White House wearing a black veil. He assured the American people gathered outside: "I swear to you that my colleagues and I will return the shame imposed on our country by the Japanese."

The leader of the opposition party also responded. He shook Roosevelt's hand and said: "From now on, our country will enter a political holiday." This means that the United States will temporarily put aside party disputes. Politicians, workers, soldiers, businessmen, farmers... everyone has only one goal - to completely defeat Japan.

At the same time, someone in Yamashiro also received news from different channels that the Japanese launched a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

This matter was directly related to the strategic pattern of the Sino-Japanese War and the prospects for military cooperation between China and the United States. Without hesitation, someone immediately returned to the city from his official residence in Huangshan to hold the highest meeting.

At the meeting, someone first asked Dai Chunfeng to report the details of the Pearl Harbor attack and the losses suffered by the US military.

Old Dai relayed Lin Fuyilang's latest secret message, which was a victory report sent by the Combined Fleet to the Japanese headquarters. The battle results on it were almost the same as the American statistics.

Upon learning that the Americans had suffered such heavy losses, the participants all gasped, and yet inexplicably felt a little proud. Even the Americans had been defeated by the Japanese, so their previous failures were understandable.

The meeting then turned to discussions at the strategic level, and someone pointed out that the Pearl Harbor incident might lead to the United States' full involvement in the Pacific War, which would be great news for the Republic of China.

He repeatedly stressed that the government needed to quickly adjust its diplomatic and military strategies and strengthen cooperation with the United States and other allies, especially in the military and intelligence fields, which required the assistance of the intelligence agencies.

Dai Chunfeng heard someone's words and immediately stood up and said, "Chairman, Shen Zhong is currently on a mission in Washington. The initial communication with the US side can be completed by him."

Someone smiled and thought, look, the kids from my hometown are still reliable. They understand my difficulties and even go overseas in person despite the danger.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Thinking about Zuo Zhong's prediction of Japan's sneak attack on the United States a few months ago, it turned out to be exactly the same as the actual development. The more he thought about it, the happier he became, and he approved Lao Dai's request on the spot.

The Nationalist government authorized Zuo Zhong to conduct intelligence cooperation and exchanges with the Americans as appropriate, and to ensure that the Americans provide various assistance to the Nationalist government, so as to lay a good foundation for the next formal negotiations between the two countries.

When Zuo Zhong received the relevant telegram, it was already the morning of December 12th, Washington time. After reading the telegram, he enjoyed breakfast in the restaurant while listening to the broadcast on the radio and waiting for guests to arrive.

"Yesterday, December 1941, 12, a date that will live in infamy, the United States was attacked by surprise and premeditated naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

"Yesterday the Japanese government launched an attack on the Malay region."

"The Japanese army attacked Hong Kong Island last night."

"Japanese troops attacked Guam last night."

"Japanese troops attacked the Philippine Islands last night."

"Japanese troops attacked Wake Island last night."

"Japanese forces attacked Midway Island this morning."

"As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that every measure be taken for defense."

"Our entire nation will always remember the nature of this Japanese attack on our country."

On the radio was Roosevelt's radio speech to all American citizens in Congress. Zuo Zhong cut a piece of fried egg and put it in his mouth, humming a little tune, obviously in a good mood.

Gucci and others at the same table pricked up their ears and listened carefully to the broadcast. This broadcast and the statement of the US government will determine the fate of the entire world.

Roosevelt's voice was transmitted to the ears of everyone in the restaurant through the loudspeaker. Many American waiters had angry expressions and red eyes. They clenched their fists and cursed the Japanese in a low voice.

"No matter how long it takes to defeat this premeditated aggression, the righteous army of the American people will win a complete victory."

"We trust in the power of our armed forces, and in the unfailing resolve of our people, and we will prevail. May God bless America."

"We will stand with our European allies, our Asian allies, and together we will defeat the destructive forces led by the Japanese Empire and Germany."

"I ask the Congress to declare that a state of war has existed between the United States and the Empire of Japan since the unprovoked and dastardly attack upon our country on Sunday, December 1941, 12."

With Roosevelt's decision to declare war, deafening cheers rang out in Congress and restaurants. At this moment, there was only one voice in the United States: war!

"Dang Cang."

The knife and fork in Gucci's hand fell on the plate with a crisp sound. His eyes were filled with tears and he wanted to shout to vent his anger.

Since 1931, the Republic of China has been resisting the Japanese invasion alone, but as soldiers fell and cities fell, the country and the nation had reached a point where there was no room for retreat.

No one understood the loneliness and helplessness of the people of the Republic of China. The defense line built by countless people with their flesh and blood was blown to pieces, and victory seemed out of reach.

Even the most optimistic people find it hard to believe that the Republic of China can defeat the Japanese. What these people did was just to have a clear conscience, and the worst that could happen was that they would sacrifice their lives for the country.

Now, the Americans had joined the war, and with the help of the world's number one superpower, there was finally a glimmer of hope for victory, and Gucci burst into tears.

Don't get me wrong, I am only describing the feelings of the KMT members and ordinary people at that time about the US entry into the war from their perspective, and I am by no means praising the ugly country.