associated business.”
“Oh. How so?”
“I mentioned the other evening that I needed to talk to you about something. You are a man of influence with the Ambassador and my friends and I at the F.O. are keen to see him continue with his fine work.”
“I’m happy to do anything I can. What is it that particularly interests you?”
Douglas leaned forward. “As we all know, he has been a strong supporter of Mr Chamberlain since his arrival in 1938.”
“He admires the Prime Minister enormously.”
“And he has been a strong proponent of peace, of, er, using all efforts possible to reach a negotiated settlement of some sort with Germany.”
“So he has and it’s cost him some too. He’s always had his enemies here and I’d say in some way they’ve had the upper hand in recent months. But more important to the Ambassador, his views have led to some poor publicity back in the USA, and he’s very unhappy about that.”
“I can quite understand.” Douglas took a long pull from his cigar. “Wonderful cigars. Of course, if this war continues to develop we won’t be able to get them through the German blockades. And plenty more besides. There will be massive shortages, more rationing. It will be very unpleasant and that’s even without taking account of the bombing.”
“I can’t see it happening. Surely everyone will see some common sense and come to a settlement. I don’t think the common man here really gives a fig about Hitler’s designs on the countries of Eastern Europe, provided Britain and its Empire are unaffected.”
“Quite. And as I was saying the other night, we are sure that Hitler will be quite happy to guarantee not to interfere with us and the Empire provided we allow him some breathing space in the East.” Moving his chair forward, Douglas drew to within inches of Norton’s face. “Confidentially, as your Ambassador probably knows, we are continuing to get feelers from Germany to confirm this. A deal can no doubt be struck. Perhaps we’d have to give up a few small colonies but who cares if we avoid the disaster of war?”
“You know we can agree on that. The Ambassador, as you are well aware, is adamantly against a US entrance into the war and without American help, if Germany chooses to target all its military power against Britain, I wouldn’t give a cent for your chances.”
“Precisely. Now you mentioned a moment ago that the Ambassador was unhappy with some of the bad press he’s been getting back home.”
“Yes, although he’s still got plenty of supporters in the press as well.”
“Beneficiaries of the famous Kennedy largesse, no doubt.”
“No, that’s not the case. The Ambassador does not…”
“Hold your horses, my friend. Just my little joke.” Douglas re-lit his cigar. “Am I right in thinking that Mr Kennedy has ambitious domestic political aspirations?”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Come on, Arthur. Don’t be coy. We’ve seen the American press speculation. Mr Kennedy would like to take on Mr Roosevelt and become America’s first Catholic President.”
“So some think, although I’m not really at liberty to discuss his plans.”
Douglas’ lips moved to form a thin smile. “Very well. All I’d like to say is that I and several of my colleagues at the F.O. fully support the Ambassador’s outlook. I’m talking here about colleagues at the highest level, Arthur. We’d like him to know that many in the government, indeed in the country, still value his forceful expression of this outlook, and his influence in bolstering American isolationism. If he has presidential aspirations, we applaud and support them. Some of my superiors are unfortunately inclining to the views of the warmongers amongst us, Churchill et al. However, I believe our views will prevail and that by the end of the year we shall have an international settlement. Who knows, maybe that settlement will be presided over by President Kennedy! At the F.O. I have access
“Oh. How so?”
“I mentioned the other evening that I needed to talk to you about something. You are a man of influence with the Ambassador and my friends and I at the F.O. are keen to see him continue with his fine work.”
“I’m happy to do anything I can. What is it that particularly interests you?”
Douglas leaned forward. “As we all know, he has been a strong supporter of Mr Chamberlain since his arrival in 1938.”
“He admires the Prime Minister enormously.”
“And he has been a strong proponent of peace, of, er, using all efforts possible to reach a negotiated settlement of some sort with Germany.”
“So he has and it’s cost him some too. He’s always had his enemies here and I’d say in some way they’ve had the upper hand in recent months. But more important to the Ambassador, his views have led to some poor publicity back in the USA, and he’s very unhappy about that.”
“I can quite understand.” Douglas took a long pull from his cigar. “Wonderful cigars. Of course, if this war continues to develop we won’t be able to get them through the German blockades. And plenty more besides. There will be massive shortages, more rationing. It will be very unpleasant and that’s even without taking account of the bombing.”
“I can’t see it happening. Surely everyone will see some common sense and come to a settlement. I don’t think the common man here really gives a fig about Hitler’s designs on the countries of Eastern Europe, provided Britain and its Empire are unaffected.”
“Quite. And as I was saying the other night, we are sure that Hitler will be quite happy to guarantee not to interfere with us and the Empire provided we allow him some breathing space in the East.” Moving his chair forward, Douglas drew to within inches of Norton’s face. “Confidentially, as your Ambassador probably knows, we are continuing to get feelers from Germany to confirm this. A deal can no doubt be struck. Perhaps we’d have to give up a few small colonies but who cares if we avoid the disaster of war?”
“You know we can agree on that. The Ambassador, as you are well aware, is adamantly against a US entrance into the war and without American help, if Germany chooses to target all its military power against Britain, I wouldn’t give a cent for your chances.”
“Precisely. Now you mentioned a moment ago that the Ambassador was unhappy with some of the bad press he’s been getting back home.”
“Yes, although he’s still got plenty of supporters in the press as well.”
“Beneficiaries of the famous Kennedy largesse, no doubt.”
“No, that’s not the case. The Ambassador does not…”
“Hold your horses, my friend. Just my little joke.” Douglas re-lit his cigar. “Am I right in thinking that Mr Kennedy has ambitious domestic political aspirations?”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Come on, Arthur. Don’t be coy. We’ve seen the American press speculation. Mr Kennedy would like to take on Mr Roosevelt and become America’s first Catholic President.”
“So some think, although I’m not really at liberty to discuss his plans.”
Douglas’ lips moved to form a thin smile. “Very well. All I’d like to say is that I and several of my colleagues at the F.O. fully support the Ambassador’s outlook. I’m talking here about colleagues at the highest level, Arthur. We’d like him to know that many in the government, indeed in the country, still value his forceful expression of this outlook, and his influence in bolstering American isolationism. If he has presidential aspirations, we applaud and support them. Some of my superiors are unfortunately inclining to the views of the warmongers amongst us, Churchill et al. However, I believe our views will prevail and that by the end of the year we shall have an international settlement. Who knows, maybe that settlement will be presided over by President Kennedy! At the F.O. I have access
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