THE FORESIGHT WAR by Anthony G Williams Page A

in any case refusing to co-operate over any plans which would involve Russians moving into their territory to help defend them.’ He sighed. ‘Then there’s the Finland problem. We know that Russia plans to invade later this year, and that there will be strong pressure to go to Finland’s aid, but we must resist that at all costs – it would be disastrous to be drawn into a war against the USSR.’
    Chairman intervened.   ‘France is still shaky, despite the failure of the general strike last autumn.   They are uneasy about their treaty with Poland, and would be very reluctant to get involved without us.   They’re much more worried about Italy’s territorial claims against them. And Spain has no interest in anything other than recovering quietly from their civil war.   As for Italy – did you say it was next month they’re due to sign a treaty with Germany?’
    Don nodded.   ‘Mussolini will be determined to link Italy with Germany.   The Albanian coup, following on from his Ethiopian success, will have boosted his confidence. He seems to be spoiling for a fight with France.’
    ‘Let’s turn to Ireland.   Our first real change in policy was the decision to refuse to hand back the Irish bases.   That took a lot of work with the politicians, who wanted to keep the Irish happy.   And now we have IRA bombs going off in London.’
    Don was unconcerned.   ‘As I recall, that happened anyway.   Nothing will appease some sections of the Irish while partition remains in force.   And the bases will be very valuable in a year’s time.’
    Chairman sighed.   ‘Very well, then.   What about outside Europe?’
    ‘No real change in China,’ commented Military Man, ‘the Japanese are continuing with their invasion despite constant harassment by Chiang Kai-Shek’s forces and the Chinese Communists.   It’s just guerilla warfare, though, they can’t stand up to the Japanese in open battle.’
    ‘And the American attitude?’
    Diplomat looked thoughtful.   ‘Roosevelt’s speech to Congress in January was a hopeful sign, but it doesn’t seem to have had much effect on the generally isolationist view.   And the Nazi sympathisers have a high profile there.’
    Don recalled that Roosevelt had warned of the dangers from aggressor states and suggested that the possibility of America’s remaining isolated from the troubles of the rest of the world had become much reduced.   On the other hand, right-wingers such as Charles Lindbergh, the pilot who had become a national hero after his solo transatlantic flight, had a lot of influence.  
         Chairman looked at Don dourly.   ‘There is, of course, one other possibility which we have so far not considered.   What if other countries have been blessed with visitors from the future?   Russia? Japan? America?’
         The Committee looked at Don in consternation.   ‘That has occurred to me,’ he said slowly, ‘but so far I have seen no evidence to support the idea.   On the other hand, we might well not find out until the fighting starts.’
    Chairman surveyed the Committee intently before bringing the meeting to a close.   Don was aware of a heightened tension – shared in it, in fact – and realised that they were all beginning to brace themselves for what lay ahead.   The time for theorising was coming to an end.   The necessary preparations were well in hand.   Europe’s inexorable slide to war had become a free fall.
     
    Summer 1939
     
    ‘I still don’t think this is a good idea.’   Don was feeling grumpy, probably because he had been standing in the rain in a crowded Hyde Park for the past two hours.   Dunning was more philosophical.
    ‘It’s the price we have to pay,’ he said.   ‘Chamberlain was most annoyed that we dissuaded him from giving his guarantee to Poland, and he insisted that the King’s review of the National Defence Forces went ahead in order to try to frighten Hitler.   Extended the scope, in