Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia, David Lloyd George, or Woodrow Wilson. I can't own the last two, anyway, on account that they're both dead.

It took a few minutes for Arthur to read the letter in his hands. He then read over it a second time, just to be sure he was understanding it correctly. "And, you say that the British cryptographers uncovered this?" he asked, his voice low.

The new Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, stood behind his personified country and gave a short nod, though Arthur was unable to catch it. "Yes. We intercepted the letter and they had been figuring out what the coding meant for a short time now." He stepped up beside Arthur, who was staring down at the note with an unreadable expression. "We're going to give it to President Woodrow Wilson in a few weeks."

Arthur looked up. "Why such a long time? Give this to them now!"

The Prime Minister, however, seemed to have his mind made up. "If we do that, we risk being caught. We're going to need some time to meet with President Wilson. He certainly won't be happy about this."

"I should say not," Arthur agreed in a whisper, a smile finding its way to his face. But, at least I now know how to get America to fight for us.

It was February 25th when Alfred was summoned into White House. He was fairly pissed about it, too; after all, he had been there all morning and when he finally thought he'd get a chance to stay outside for a little bit, they called him right back in. Of course, he wasn't going to say anything against it. Woodrow Wilson was his president, and a pretty damn good one, considering the fact that he was keeping them out of the war. Though Alfred was as outgoing and social as anyone, he'd trade his friendship any day to keep his men from dying, thank you very much. Now, if only England and Germany would stop pulling him from either side, life would be much better.

That's what he thought, until he met up with Wilson. The president didn't even waste time for introduction. Instead, he pushed a single sheet of paper toward Alfred, who looked at it with a confused gaze. "What is-?"

"Just read it," Wilson responded, looking more tired and weary then Alfred had ever seen him. It was at that moment when Alfred thought, I really don't want to know what this letter contains. I really, really don't. He knew he had to, though. If it concerned his president this much, he had to know the context.

So, he read it. And read it again. And again. And, once more. Finally, he could take it no more, and he slammed it down on the table, his glasses crooked and cheeks blaring red as the blood boiled in him. "What the hell is this?" he asked.

"The Zimmerman Note." Wilson took the cursed paper from the table and sighed as he, too, looked over it once more. "The British intercepted it a few weeks ago, on February the seventh. They decoded it and handed it over yesterday."

Alfred thought this over. "They had it for such a long time, and they weren't telling us?"

Wilson raised his eyebrows. "It's difficult for the British, America. They don't have the luxury of being away from the war and the fighting." He stood, the note still in his hand. "I'm considering joining them, though."

"Joining-?" Alfred gasped. "No. No, no, no. We're not joining that stupid war that's being fought over who is the best! It's between the Europeans, anyway, not us! There's no need-"

"No need?" Wilson shot back. "We have proof right here that Germany is promising lands to Mexico, lands that are rightfully ours, if they fight for the Central powers, and you believe we still have no need to join this war?" He made his way to the door. "I'm going to release this note to the general public in a few days, America. Please be prepared for war."

He left, and Alfred stared after him, wondering how to take his anger out. Best to not do so in the White House, considering that it was his capital building. Actually, he'd be better not to let it out at all. He needed to control his composure. After all, he was the hero, and heroes never let their rage show through. Never.

As Wilson promised, Alfred soon found the Zimmerman Note published in newspapers from across his country. He looked over it, his eyes narrowing as he read.

'To the German Minister to Mexico

Berlin, January 19, 1917

On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavour to keep neutral the United States of America.

If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support, and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement...

You are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan.

Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.

Zimmermann
(Secretary of State)'

Yeah, over my dead body, Germany, Alfred thought, tossing the paper aside. Reading those words didn't make anything easier, especially not now. The whole country was desperate for war, and anti-German sentiment grew like wildfire. Alfred, even, was steering towards joining on the side of the Allies, if only to fight off the Germans who were prepared to help Mexico-what was it?- 'reconquer the lost territory'.

"Oh, damn it all to hell," Alfred muttered, sinking deeper down into his chair. His country was going to fight a war. He knew it, he could feel it. There was no doubt about that. But, how many would have to die? How many would be shot down, fighting for an unknown cause? Many. Alfred had been in wars. Not many, not nearly enough, and never this big of a scale, but he most certainly knew that with war came deaths. Alfred wasn't sure if he was prepared to face the consequences that the war would bring to his countrymen.

It wasn't as if he had much of a choice. On April 6, 1917, Congress declared war on Germany and the rest of the Central Powers. And, all Alfred could do was prepare for the Great War.

Why, hello to you! If you're reading this story, I really hope you enjoy! Yeah, not so much of Iggy in this chapter, but I'll make another one with IGGY GALORE! Maybe.

Now, it's time for some notes! Because of the HUGE amount I had in my last story, I'll try very hard to make this shorter.

The Zimmerman Note was a note sent from Zimmerman, the Secretary of State from Germany, to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt. As stated, the note was offering Mexico lands in America in return for joining the Central Powers. But, big, bad Britain came in and intercepted this nasty letter, and kinda went up to Wilson, all like, "Dudes~! If this isn't an act of war, I don't know what is!" and Wilson, who was actually re-elected for staying OUT of the war, told Congress to go to war, which they did a few days later. Ah, Wilson, you ruined your 'let's-keep-peace' image! I still respect you greatly, though, especially you and your Fourteen Points (which I shall not talk about now, for fear of making this surprisingly short explanation much too long).

Oh, the British Prime Minister at the time was David Lloyd George. He was actually pretty new to office, and had succeeded the old Prime Minister, Herbert Henry Asquith (who, as a side-note, looks very much like a British gentleman). George was a very bold and aggressive, which is very good when in war. I think...well, the Allies win (spoiler!), so his boldness MUST have been helpful...

^Ooh, my notes were actually short. So was the story itself! Sorry it's such a piece of crap today- I'm fairly tired after having an unusual dream with China. He's trying to find a way into my stories, I tell you...ANYWAY, read and review and enjoy and don't freeze!