Oneshots, Dumb Stuff, and Writing Tips - Country/Statehumans

The Zimmermann Telegraph

(Not super sure if there were ever typing telegraphs, so it's stuck in morse code with someone typing it on a nearby typewriter)

*click* *click* *click* Texas heard the clicking and soon sat right down at the table with the telegraph and typewriter. Quickly typing what she missed, she started to type out the message as it came through. A few words in, she stopped translating words in her head and just typed the letters as she heard them. Typing, more typing, even more typing. After a few minutes, she realized it had stopped, so she took the paper off of the typewriter and started to bring it up to America's office.

She started to read through it, not thinking anything of much importance would be on it. The past few months, the only telegrams had been from Britain with his update on the war. But, she realized it was an intercepted message from Germany. Carefully reading through, she took note of what was being said.

It was obvious that one of Germany's people, Zimmermann, was talking to someone about Mexico, the neighbor down south. Texas started to get a bit nervous, Mexico was right on her border and Germany getting over to the Americas was not a great idea for keeping the already fragile peace between America and Mexico.

Then, the sentence that made her heart drop.
'...In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the following basis: we make war together, make peace together, generous finacial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is the reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona."

After hearing that particular gem, Texas started to bolt it up to the office. "DAD!! Important telegraph from Britain!" A few more seconds, then she slammed open the office door, still running to the desk. "Whoa, slow down there. Where's that telegraph? What could have gotten you so worked up?" America took the given paper, starting to read through it. After reading through it all, he sat the paper down, an unreadable expression on his face. Slowly, he got up and walked out, down to the front room.

Once there he shouted, "States and territories, get down here for an important meeting!" Quickly, the called poured into the room, sitting and standing throughout the room. No one dared chat, but just stared, waiting. After a quick headcount of the kids, America started.

"Kids, we are going to have to start arming the merchant ships going out. Germany is threatening our position as neutral even more than before. It may be that we have to go to war soon." Every one of the kids gasped, shocked they might have to go into the Great War. It started three years back and America hadn't needed to enter. He was content staying neutral.

"Dad, why do we need to go to war?" America glanced over to the asking state, California. But before he could answer, Texas forced in to answer. "Because, Callie, Germany wants to align with Mexico and have him take back Arizona, New Mexico, and my land! Plus, he's gonna start up that submarine warfare stuff again!"

"Yes, so, I'm going to release the intercepted telegram to the public, then aid the president in talking to Congress about actually arming the ships. If anything else happens, I'll tell you guys straight away. But, everyone, keep a closer eyes on the Mexican border states. Tell someone if they starting acting weird." With that, America got up and went back to his office.

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April 6th, 1917
Telegraph -

To: The America Household
From: Congress
"Kids, get the drafts ready, we have just declared war on Germany."

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Ok, so, I finally learned abou WW1 stuff, so I made this after reading about the telegraph. Also, one of focuses of the Mexican-American, which happened about 50 years earlier, was where the Texan border should be drawn, so I doubt Mexico trying to stir up trouble over that would have gone over well for anyone. You would think 50 years would be long enough for stuff to settle, but people are still getting mad about the Civil War, so what do you expect?

Anyways, I'll see y'all soon! Bye!