Would the United States and other powers join Britain?

Would the United States join the war rather than remain neutral?

Probably: strategic influence, naval balance, public opinion, and the desire for a voice in the peace settlement all favor American entry alongside Britain.

American leaders would probably see Britain as the likely victor because of industrial capacity, imperial resources, and existing naval strength. Staying neutral would leave Washington without influence over the postwar settlement and might allow Britain to dominate the Far East. The press reaction to Japanese cruisers destroying a British ship under such circumstances would also favor intervention, while support for China supplied an additional political cause. French and Dutch ships would likely join, and even Germany and Italy might contribute forces rather than appear weak or align themselves with Japan. A British-led coalition could therefore include major American forces without automatically placing the United States in overall command.