Chapter 746 The Excited Islander

"Your Excellency, good news! The U.S. government gave us a very positive response. They expressed that the U.S. would condemn what Germany has done. However, the U.S. government also stated that they now have no power to force the Germans to stop being cruel to us Action." Foreign Minister Takaaki Kato looked excited. Even he himself didn't expect that he could get such a big support from the United States!

"Great, this is really great! Regardless of whether it is useful or not, it is also good for us to have a country speak out in the international community!" Shigenobu Okuma was very happy.

"Your Excellency, the U.S. government's support for us is more than that. They said that they can provide us with a loan that we can use to restore people's livelihood and restore military power." Kato Takaaki continued.

"What? The Americans still want to give us loans?" Okuma Shigenobu suddenly felt like he was hit by a pie. This was really beyond his expectation. Although, thanks to the impact of the war's world war, the economy of the island country is thriving. However, after the German expedition fleet blatantly destroyed the coastal cities of the island country, they also needed a large amount of funds to rebuild these cities. In addition, the United Fleet is almost lost, and it will take a lot of money to rebuild. Minister of Finance Reijiro Wakatsuki has become so worried that his hair is turning gray these days because of financial matters. Unexpectedly, the Americans would now take the initiative to provide loans to the island countries. In this case, all problems will be solved.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister. The Americans really want to support us this time. They are willing to provide us with a loan of 200 million U.S. dollars, divided into two years, and 100 million U.S. dollars a year. But the interest is a little bit high, the annual interest rate Eleven percent will be repaid in one lump sum in five years!" Kato Takaaki said.

"The interest rate is indeed a bit high. But, can we still take care of that much now? The loan of 200 million US dollars is already equivalent to 60% of our fiscal revenue last year! This money is undoubtedly what we need urgently." Okuma Shigenobu said.

"Hi, Your Excellency the Prime Minister. However, I always think that the Americans probably have no good intentions in doing this. They must have their own plans!" Kato Takaaki was a little worried.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world, this is the truth that all adults know. Americans are not philanthropists, how could they be so kind to help the island country? The reason why they did this must have their own considerations.

"I think I probably know the intentions of the Americans. The relationship between the Americans and the Germans is very bad. It will be a matter of time before a war breaks out! As the saying goes, the enemy of an enemy is a friend, and this is exactly what we and the Americans are doing now. Of course. This is undoubtedly very beneficial to us. The current empire is still very weak. If we need to develop and become stronger, we must obtain more external support. The support of the United States will make We have become stronger. In this way, we will have a greater chance of seeking revenge from the Germans in the future!" Okuma Shigenobu said.

"By the way, the Americans also proposed that our domestic market needs to be opened to them. This is also a necessary condition. However, the Americans hinted that if we can agree to this condition, they can provide us with more loans in the future. " Kato Takaaki said.

Shigenobu Okuma couldn't help but frown. The island country with a population of more than 50 million undoubtedly has a huge domestic market. Americans are also bent on opening up this market. At the beginning, the island country woke up from the state of seclusion, precisely because of the arrival of the black ship of the Americans. It was not until the Meiji Restoration that the island nation became stronger again, allowing the island nation to control the market by itself. The island country's industry has also developed rapidly because of this. If the market opens to the United States again, Okuma Shigenobu is worried that the island country's industry will not be able to withstand the impact of the Americans. After all, the industry in the United States is much more developed than that of the island nation.

"Let's leave this issue to the cabinet for discussion!" Okuma Shigenobu said.

On this question, too, he was not in a position to decide for himself. Otherwise, it will definitely offend many people. In that case, it is not very cost-effective.

"Okay, Your Excellency the Prime Minister!" Kato Takaaki nodded.

Half an hour later, a cabinet meeting was held.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma introduced the good news that the Americans will support the island countries and provide loans to the island countries. At the same time, he also told everyone the conditions proposed by the Americans.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, we cannot agree to the conditions of the Americans! In that case, our industry will be pushed into the abyss. Our industry is still very weak and cannot compete with the Americans at all. At that time, the consequences will be very serious. serious!"

As expected by Shigenobu Okuma, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce Kanetake Oura immediately expressed strong opposition. However, Okuma Shigenobu knew that Oura Kantake's opinion was not important at all. What matters is the opinion of the military. If the military wants to accept the conditions of the Americans, no one will listen to Kanetake Oura's opinion.

Okuma Shigenobu glanced at Oka Ichinosuke and Yatsushiro Rokuro, and found that their faces were flushed. He knew that the two of them were very excited.

"Baga! Mr. Oura, you are talking nonsense! The empire's industry has developed to the present, but it still has no strength to compete with the Americans? If that's the case, isn't the empire's efforts over the past few decades in vain? Is it?" General Yatsushiro Rokuro scolded with a dark face!

"Yeah, the empire's industry shouldn't be so fragile!" Oka Ichinosuke also said.

On this issue, the island nation's navy and army, which are full of conflicts, have reached a surprising agreement. They all believe that the loan from the Americans must be obtained.

Admiral Yatsushiro Rokuro didn't know how to get the funds for reconstruction because of the disastrous defeat of the combined fleet! Now the threat of the Germans to the island country still exists, so even if he has any ideas, it is difficult to bring them up. However, with this loan from the Americans, he can justifiably request to rebuild the combined fleet and build more capital ships for the combined fleet so that they can quickly restore their strength.

Oka Ichinosuke also had the same idea, although the military expenditure of the island country already accounted for a large part of the fiscal expenditure. However, the Japanese army now only has a total of more than 20 divisions. Although more than 500,000 people are not a lot, compared with the first-class power, it is really far behind. The replacement of weapons and equipment also requires a lot of money. The loan from the Americans came really well.