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003
June 16th, 1904

The White House, Washington, D.C.

0134 Hours

The aide timidly approached the president's bedchamber, the telegram in hand. He knocked on the door, and got a slurred response.

"Whasit at this hour?"

"Sir, there's a telegram for you."

McKinley grunted, and the frightened aide slid the telegram under the door before shuffling off. McKinley flipped on a lamp and walked to the door. He bent down and picked up the telegram.

He nearly fainted when he read the contents.

It was an ultimatum sent by the German government, demanding that the United States relinquish its hold on the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Subic Bay and Manila in the Philippines to Germany. If these demands were not met, the Germans would use force to take them.

McKinley got on the phone with the Secretary of War immediately.

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