"Hmm..."
Józef Beck kept a cool face, as one would in his position, but it would not have been out of character for his heart to pulse once or twice more than normal.
Outside, it was a typical cloudy gray for April's London. The Polish Foreign Minister could not have cared less about the weather, as his British counterpart, Edward Wood, discussed in whispers with his Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain.
After a few moments, the two nodded and returned their focus to the visiting member of the Warsaw government. The interpreter came out of a half-sleep, one which Beck envied in such a tense environment, and the talks would resume.
"We are quiet sympathetic to the concerns of your government, Mr Beck," he translated. "I can assure you, we too have seen conquest at the hands of foreign empires."
Fucking bastards, thought Beck to himself. A few Dutchmen come into your country at the behest of your Parliament, and suddenly your strife compares to ours.
"However," he continued. "While we cherish the growing bond between our countries, we wish to be precocious in regards to this particular, rather delicate situation."
Beck nodded, keeping his unemotional face. After several seconds of confusing silence, the Polish diplomat began to speak.
"Yes, I understand the reasoning of you and your government, Your Excellency. It would be unwise to endanger the security of your country, and your people, in a fashion so rushed.
"I do, however, remind you that Germany is not to be trusted. After all, they have promised only to annex the Sudeten, and yet they have invaded the whole of Czechoslovakia.
"And while we wish to keep the peace as much as any good and decent fellow, we must be prepared for the worse: that the German war machine is activated against us.
"And let me assure you, Mr Chamberlain, that if Poland is to fall, then France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark would be next. And after that, though let us hope not, they would set their eyes on London.
"Such, is the truth of things."
The British Prime Minister nodded, but he could not hide his irritation. It was clear he did not appreciate the drama projected by the Polish visitor, and neither did his Foreign Minister.
"Such fears are not unfounded," responded Chamberlain via translator. "Once again, I assure you we are sympathetic to your concerns regarding German expansionism.
"But I am acting in the interests of His Majesty, and his United Kingdoms, and not in that of yours. A military alliance between our two countries must not appear as to be a deterrent, even a threat, lest we spark a conflict."
Beck could no longer keep the emotionless face. His hands clenched into fists, his face turned red. Spark a conflict? Is he a fool, or a simple coward?
"Your Excellency, why I do not wish to drag your people into another war, I can assure you that the National Socialist regime will find another way to provoke conflict. They do not wish peace, other than their peace. We must act now, or it would doom all free nations of Europe!"
"With all due respect," interjected Woods. "From my perspective, you are angling for war, rather than against it. We must promote the cause of peace, which will prevail if we steady our course. We want to support Poland, but not at the cost of stability."
Beck was, by this point, almost on the verge of crying. He could not believe that Britain, which led the Allied cause in the Great War, was simply cowering in the face of an unprecedented tyranny. He stared at their faces, but they were still.
"Mr Chamberlain, I am not asking you for your support. I am pleading. The situation for my country is dire. The Germans might invade in three months, or tomorrow morning. Either way, our Army would not stand up to theirs.
"Your people have introduced democracy to countries such as mine. Hitler has sought to demolish it. We must no longer appease the hungry warmonger. Rather, we must show him that we will stand up to any threat! Then, will he back down!"
But still, they were unmoved. Again, they decided to converse quietly. Beck was without recourse, realizing that the fate of Poland was in the hands of a few cynical Englishmen. Such, was the story of Poland.
"I am sure that we will continue to discuss the concept of cooperation, Mr Beck, but I am afraid that a mutual pact, of any sort, is not desirable."
Beck nodded, returning his items into his briefcase. Chamberlain held out his hand for a shake, but the Pole refused. There was no purpose as to it.
Józef Beck kept a cool face, as one would in his position, but it would not have been out of character for his heart to pulse once or twice more than normal.
Outside, it was a typical cloudy gray for April's London. The Polish Foreign Minister could not have cared less about the weather, as his British counterpart, Edward Wood, discussed in whispers with his Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain.
After a few moments, the two nodded and returned their focus to the visiting member of the Warsaw government. The interpreter came out of a half-sleep, one which Beck envied in such a tense environment, and the talks would resume.
"We are quiet sympathetic to the concerns of your government, Mr Beck," he translated. "I can assure you, we too have seen conquest at the hands of foreign empires."
Fucking bastards, thought Beck to himself. A few Dutchmen come into your country at the behest of your Parliament, and suddenly your strife compares to ours.
"However," he continued. "While we cherish the growing bond between our countries, we wish to be precocious in regards to this particular, rather delicate situation."
Beck nodded, keeping his unemotional face. After several seconds of confusing silence, the Polish diplomat began to speak.
"Yes, I understand the reasoning of you and your government, Your Excellency. It would be unwise to endanger the security of your country, and your people, in a fashion so rushed.
"I do, however, remind you that Germany is not to be trusted. After all, they have promised only to annex the Sudeten, and yet they have invaded the whole of Czechoslovakia.
"And while we wish to keep the peace as much as any good and decent fellow, we must be prepared for the worse: that the German war machine is activated against us.
"And let me assure you, Mr Chamberlain, that if Poland is to fall, then France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark would be next. And after that, though let us hope not, they would set their eyes on London.
"Such, is the truth of things."
The British Prime Minister nodded, but he could not hide his irritation. It was clear he did not appreciate the drama projected by the Polish visitor, and neither did his Foreign Minister.
"Such fears are not unfounded," responded Chamberlain via translator. "Once again, I assure you we are sympathetic to your concerns regarding German expansionism.
"But I am acting in the interests of His Majesty, and his United Kingdoms, and not in that of yours. A military alliance between our two countries must not appear as to be a deterrent, even a threat, lest we spark a conflict."
Beck could no longer keep the emotionless face. His hands clenched into fists, his face turned red. Spark a conflict? Is he a fool, or a simple coward?
"Your Excellency, why I do not wish to drag your people into another war, I can assure you that the National Socialist regime will find another way to provoke conflict. They do not wish peace, other than their peace. We must act now, or it would doom all free nations of Europe!"
"With all due respect," interjected Woods. "From my perspective, you are angling for war, rather than against it. We must promote the cause of peace, which will prevail if we steady our course. We want to support Poland, but not at the cost of stability."
Beck was, by this point, almost on the verge of crying. He could not believe that Britain, which led the Allied cause in the Great War, was simply cowering in the face of an unprecedented tyranny. He stared at their faces, but they were still.
"Mr Chamberlain, I am not asking you for your support. I am pleading. The situation for my country is dire. The Germans might invade in three months, or tomorrow morning. Either way, our Army would not stand up to theirs.
"Your people have introduced democracy to countries such as mine. Hitler has sought to demolish it. We must no longer appease the hungry warmonger. Rather, we must show him that we will stand up to any threat! Then, will he back down!"
But still, they were unmoved. Again, they decided to converse quietly. Beck was without recourse, realizing that the fate of Poland was in the hands of a few cynical Englishmen. Such, was the story of Poland.
"I am sure that we will continue to discuss the concept of cooperation, Mr Beck, but I am afraid that a mutual pact, of any sort, is not desirable."
Beck nodded, returning his items into his briefcase. Chamberlain held out his hand for a shake, but the Pole refused. There was no purpose as to it.
