Im Jahre 1971-1972 war ich Student bei der Universität des Saarlandes in Saarbrücken. Damals war mein Deutsch fliessend, aber heute habe ich viel vergessen.
Seriously, by 1917 the US could in no way remain neutral, much less support the German side.
To understand why, first remember the “roaring twenties” and the Great Depression.
The roaring twenties resulted largely from British & French war debts to the US paid back during those years.
But the money actually came from German reparations payments, so as long as those payments continued, Wall Street and the US economy “roared”.
When payments ended in 1929, first Wall Street, then the world economy collapsed.
Well, had the Brits & French lost in 1919, there would have been no Roaring 20s, instead the Great depression would have started in 1919.
That’s one reason why Wilson sided with the Allies, and possibly why he didn’t want Germany totally ruined.
Of course many Americans did side with Germany, but far more were Anglo & Francophiles.
Especially France, “LaFayette we are here”, they said.
Bottom line: making a nicer peace at Versailles would not have prevented the rise of Hitler during a time of economic crisis.
A more decisive victory or better enforcement or better yet, critical help for the weak Weimar Republic to prevent or to improve the Depression might have.