Reincarnated as Nikolai II

President Wilson escalated matters by revealing the contents of the Zimmermann Telegram.

"I didn't expect this at all."

This seems to be the first time I've been surprised by history proceeding exactly as before.

The America I knew should have just focused on exports rather than joining the war at this point when the Entente has sufficient advantage.

Unlimited submarine warfare? Since British and French merchant ships mostly come directly to American ports to get weapons anyway, they shouldn't care much, and above all, creditors won't go bankrupt.

If there's no chance of losing money, America has no reason to go to war representing creditors.

"The Zimmermann Telegram's content was just hypothetical if America joins the war. Considering the incidents and terrorist acts they should have been angry about, it seems rather late if anything."

"Should we interpret it as... accumulated anger finally exploding?"

In March, though there's no official news about declaration of war or participation yet, anyone can see America is burning.

Though President Carranza of Mexico sent a reply rejecting the Zimmermann Telegram, America ignores this and is lost in delusions about Mexico and Germany terrorizing all of America.

It's an absurd reaction considering Pershing's army violated Mexican territory until just early this year.

'They tolerated civilian deaths. Tolerated sabotage. Even endured factory terrorism and public opinion manipulation, but can't tolerate one telegram? Now of all times?'

It's clearly according to history. The timing matches perfectly and it seems like a very legitimate and rational development with clear cause and effect, but...

"Kokovtsov, if I were Wilson, I would absolutely not join the war. Change in public opinion? German hostility? No. Such things cannot destroy the Monroe Doctrine that's continued for nearly 100 years."

"I feel the same. Two months ago, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies for $25 million. That country's desires are satisfied with just eating one territory."

That's precisely the kind of country the United States is. If I had the same kind of expansionist appetite that Britain showed with their conquest of India when looking at the vast potential of the Republic of China, well... that country seems content with just small acquisitions like these islands. They lack that driving imperial ambition.

If the United States had been a country that consistently projected its power outward and built an empire over the centuries, I would understand their current posturing. Their behavior would make sense in that context.

But the reality is, America hasn't engaged in any truly significant conflicts with other nations since the Revolutionary War ended in 1783. Even the Spanish-American War was essentially just naval vessels squabbling at sea - hardly a true test of military might or strategic ambition. It was a limited engagement that barely counts as a real war.

Above all, they're putting their spoon in a war that's already won.

"While we're in the middle of bringing down Austria-Hungary, suddenly war participation."

"Perhaps they've jumped in because victory looks certain?"

"That might be it. But it doesn't seem like that's all."

They're joining late to pick up whatever they can? It's questionable whether that would be enough to cover the massive war expenses and damages.

The change in attitude of a country that would automatically win just by staying still.

While I understand it logically, this situation is difficult to wholly welcome.

After watching with interest the rapidly changing situation in that New World over just a month or two.

"British shell orders have decreased!"

"Overall Black Sea exports are expected to decrease!"

"The Ancre operation on the Western Front that started in January has ended. The Supreme War Council has canceled plans to expand the Somme battlefield in spring!"

"At Noyon and Bapaume, Germany has withdrawn the front line and reduced stationed divisions. At this rate, the Western Front looks to be entering a rest period."

Something. Something we Russian Empire don't know was happening.

"Your Majesty, President Woodrow Wilson has requested Congress to declare war."

"...Right at this time."

Right now when we're braving winter cold to bring down the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Of all times, Germany withdraws and Britain and France also loosen the front line while Black Sea exports decrease and America prepares to join the war.

Though there's no definitive evidence yet, my intuition from decades as a national ruler rings alarm bells.

"...I see."

The emergence of a new player is to check our Russia.

==

As long as we don't leave the war, we've won.

Victory - I think this was confirmed when we won the Eastern Front battles in 1915.

In terms of war-fighting capability, no matter how long it drags on, Germany can never surpass Western Europe with America or Eastern Europe even if they rise from the dead, and they can only starve among the Entente powers.

This extremely firm fact must be why France conscripts while shedding bloody tears and the BEF repeatedly empties and refills.

Because we'll win anyway. It's a bit hard and difficult now, but we'll win in the end.

But looking more closely at this relationship between Eastern and Western Europe.

'It's similar to a zero-sum game. When one side loses, the other side gains.'

Since losing less can also be considered a gain in war, even as allies, Eastern and Western Europe can't help but hope the other dies more and struggles more.

While such basic selfishness would be natural even for individuals, not just nations, with a new weight appearing on this balance scale, changes in relationships seemed bound to occur.

The United States, occupying a continent alone.

That country which alone handles not just Western Europe's munitions but even war expenses is a massive weight, perhaps comparable to our Russia.

And this weight was officially confirmed to be dropping on the Western Front in April.

Looking just this far, it seems the overall war atmosphere would improve as the Western Front becomes advantageous.

However, we had to recognize that America's participation was for those French and British.

"The Supreme War Council says the next offensive is possible only after at least a month."

"Didn't they say they would conduct the Nivelle Offensive toward Belgium in the north?"

"Canceled. It seems Minister Rödiger's continued requests are being ignored."

"Have him keep requesting for now. General Brusilov has already entered Slovakia."

Even if America joins, it doesn't help at all in bringing down Austria-Hungary.