Last Days of Europe: A Diplomatic Journey in 1939

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, vii PREFACE, 1 INTRODUCTION, 13 I. TRAIN JOURNEY WITH COLONEL BECK, 26 Recapitulation of German-Polish relations. Pact of Nonaggression of January 27, 1934. Colonel Beck's "principles." Hitler's assurances. The crisis (January 21, 1939). The Polish leaders' great illusion. Beck's message to Hitler. II. HITLER PREPARES, 54 Berlin on the eve of Hitler's anniversary. A "look round" with von Ribbentrop. Talk with Goring. Audience at the Imperial Chancellery. The Fiihrer expounds his policy. The military review of April 20, 1939. III. THE FEARS OF LEOPOLD III, 85 The small countries after the Munich Agreement. Audience with the King of the Belgians. Monarchs and the problem of security. IV. THE STRENGTH OF ENGLAND, 95 Channel crossing. London: the Court, the government, public opinion. Mr. Winston Churchill over coffee and cigars. His moral and political opposition to National Socialism. His plans for a "Great Coalition" (speeches of May 9, 1938, October 5, 1938, and April 13, 1939). V. THE POLICY OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE, 110 The conversion of Mr. Neville Chamberlain. Exchange of views with Lord Halifax. England resists Hitler and assumes its responsibilities on the Continent. It gives "guarantees," treats with Turkey, and begins negotiations with the U.S.S.R. General compulsory military service. VI. THE TROUBLE IN FRANCE, 132 The internal crisis and its repercussions on foreign policy. The government. M. Daladier, and the peace policy of M. Georges Bonnet. Hitler's speech of April 28, 1939. The Franco-Anglo-Soviet negotiations. France and Italy. VII. ITALY SIGNS THE "TACT OF STEEL", 156 A dinner at Villa Madama. Mussolini and Ciano. Political statement by the Duce, comments, by Ciano. Audience at the Quirinal. King Victor Emmanuel's "opposition." Visit to the Vatican. Pope Pius XII. Italy and France. VIII. RETURN JOURNEY, 177 Stop in Belgrade. Prince Paul and his ministers. The "prudence" of the Regent of Yugoslavia. Arrival in Bucharest. Visit of M. Potemldn. The Assistant Commissar is optimistic. IX. BALKAN JOURNEY, 190 Ankara: Turkey, turntable of peaceful diplomacy. A ball at the Ankara Palace. Jalova: Audience with President Ismet Inonu. Athens: The ruins of the Acropolis. An evening at Cape Sunion. The heroism of General Metaxas. EPILOGUE, 201 APPENDICES: I. The Russo-German Negotiations, 223 II. The Silence of Potsdam. Two Principles in Conflict, 226 III. Justice or Convenience, 230 IV. The Way of Peace, 234 INDEX, 237