The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-01-10
NSTALLMENT ONE
CHAPTER I

OnAfVE i
The erect middle-aged man In
blue business suit who came briskly
out c: the White House paused re-
iuctantly before the inquisitive press
OF correspondents.
Anything new on our rearma-
ment program, General?" one re-
porter wanted to know.
Another asked, Ibid the President
nave anything to say about Mex
ico?"
General Hague. Chief of Staff of
the Army. had managed to dissipate
with calm smile that gravity in
which he had emerged from confer
ence with the President.
There is nothing to give out, gen.
temen," he said with quiet firm
ness, and strobe to his military Sc
dan that was waiting in the drive
way.
The generals car sped of to the
long, concrete Munitions Building on
constitution Avenue that houses the
war Department. General Hague
hurried to his offices on the second
floor and instructed his aide-de-
camp to summon Colonel Flagwill.
In a few minutes Flagwin, acting
assistant chief of staff CO, in
charge OF military intelligence, re-
ported In from another wing.
Sit down. Flagwill," the gen.
eral invited. "The President has
Just decided to 60 to the bottom of
this Mexican situation"
FlagwilPs lean, aquiline face re-
NAMED impressive except for quick
CLEAN OF fire in his piercing black
eyes.
That's good news, sir!" he ex-
Canned; and added in quiet voice:
In that connection, my section has
Just completed our final estimate
OF the situation based on all present
available information. Would you
care to hear my report now"
go ahead" Hague invited.
III be as brief as possible, sir.
Our best estimate is 200, 900 Euro
pean regulars modified in Mexico.
That covers organized infantry di-
Visions, artillery, cavalry, tanks, air
corps, and technical groups trans
ported from Mediterranean ports
during the past six months, together
with some reservist infantry assem-
oled from South American points.
TO all outward appearances they
fully support the arguments of the
new Mexican dictatorship that, as a
part OF the Mexican military forces.
these troops are not the concern of
the United States"
General Hague's straight mouth
parted in cynical smile.
There is the big rub, Flagwill.
The Mexican version has so ration
allied their European army that the
American public falls for the fiction
completely. It almost has our State
Department fooled, even when OUR
ambassador knows the real COM
mander in Mexico is Van Hassek.
one Of the smartest tacticians of
the old Imperial Army"
The subterfuge is obvious. sir"
Flagwin averred. "My whole section
agrees that the United States faces
attack from Van Hassek's army."
General Hague somberly nodded
his head.
II agree perfectly with your de-
auctions, Flagwill, and informed the
President pretty much to the same
effect today. He is very grayely con-
cerned and wants the facts as quick
y as possible. But what can the
President do unless Congress is con-
WINGED and facts are available for
the public?"
In the meantime, General, are
we to reinforce our border garri-
sons for defense in event attack
comes sooner than expected?"
The Chief Of Staff groaned and
said: "The President doesn't dare
order troop concentrations now,
Flagwill. Congress would probably
refuse him an appropriation for
transportation. He'd be accused of
saber-rattling.
Flagwill mopped his brow and
said slowly: 81 see it all, sir. Just
what's our move, please?"
To collect facts. Our ambassador
to France has something very Sc
cret Matched UP with the French Sc
cret service. A chance to slip one of
our officers into the Mexican serv-
ice at Mexico City. Our first move
Is to select our man and send him
to Paris to get his detailed instruc-
tons. It's very important that we
pick the right man for this, a man
with plenty Of brains and backbone.
1 rather had young Benning in
mind"
IAN excellent choice" Flagwill
promptly agreed. "But right now
I've got Captain Benning down In
San Antonio. Investigating another