Chapter 178: Forked Road
When Larivich appeared at the doorway, Comrade Stalin had already recovered from his earlier irritation.
The impatience on his face disappeared. The corners of his mouth beneath his mustache lifted slightly, forming a benevolent smile that seemed almost paternal.
"Comrade Larivich!"
Stalin stepped forward as though welcoming an old friend.
"To be honest, when I heard that you won the election and drove those feudal kings and nobles out of Spain, I knew that Spain would certainly become Soviet Russia's most steadfast comrade and most trustworthy partner, both now and in the future."
He patted Larivich on the shoulder.
"Because you possess the same courage we do. The courage to change a country."
The continuous praise left Larivich somewhat at a loss.
In his eyes, being able to speak face to face with Comrade Stalin, a leader who had participated in the October Revolution and shaped the vast Soviet state, was almost unbelievable. It felt like a dream suddenly taking solid form before him.
Excitement made his hands tremble slightly.
He grasped Stalin's calloused hand with both of his own and nodded repeatedly.
"Comrade Stalin, Soviet Russia is also Spain's most loyal partner."
After forcing himself to calm down, Larivich finally began to explain the purpose of his visit.
"We came this time hoping to seek military and political assistance. You understand the situation, Comrade Stalin. Europe, especially the League of Nations, remains a stronghold of monarchists."
His voice carried both urgency and indignation.
"Since we drove out the king, many European countries have refused to recognize our legitimate status. If Soviet Russia takes this step, it will be of enormous help to us."
Larivich paused, then continued in a lower voice.
"Moreover, we have detected certain republican bourgeois tendencies within the Party, and right wing forces are rising rapidly at home. The Spanish Communist Party urgently needs a large number of trustworthy comrades to help us consolidate our hard won republican regime."
His eyes became more intense.
"We also need assistance in establishing a large army, one capable of resisting suppression from the Western powers and guiding Spain's transition toward socialism."
Stalin listened without interrupting.
He took a small portion of tobacco and filled his pipe with deliberate slowness.
For Comrade Stalin, Spain was indeed important.
It was one of the few Communist bridgeheads in Western Europe, and a powerful platform through which Soviet Russia could spread its ideology. If properly handled, Spain could become a banner planted deep in the enemy's courtyard.
However, from the perspective of Soviet Russia's immediate interests, Spain was not important enough to justify excessive risk.
If Soviet Russia provided large scale aid now, it would very likely provoke hostility from Britain, France, and Germany at the same time. That would create tremendous international pressure precisely when Soviet Russia needed time to complete its industrial construction.
After weighing the matter for a long moment, Stalin nodded first, then shook his head.
"Comrade Larivich, Soviet Russia can recognize Spain's legitimacy."
Larivich's eyes brightened.
But Stalin raised a hand.
"However, you must also understand the complexity of the external situation. At present, we cannot directly provide Spain with a large quantity of military weapons."
The light in Larivich's eyes dimmed slightly.
Stalin continued in a measured tone.
"Let us do this instead. We will send a group of military advisers through an employment arrangement. At the same time, the Cheka will select a group of capable intelligence personnel with firm beliefs to help you monitor right wing forces."
He looked at Larivich.
"How does that sound?"
Larivich was somewhat disappointed, but he knew this was already a concession.
After a brief silence, he nodded.
"Very well, Comrade Stalin."
Compared with Soviet Russia's cautious approach, Germany increased its stakes without hesitation.
With Jörg's endorsement and various promises, the Spanish Forward Party successfully rallied nearly the entire right wing camp. Monarchists, conservatives, Catholic political groups, business associations, military factions, and wealthy landowners who feared the left's reforms began gathering beneath the same banner.
Almost overnight, the Spanish Forward Party, founded less than a year ago, gained a sufficient mass base and began preparing for the year end general election.
At the same time, in Málaga, inside Franco's private residence, several invitations lay on his desk.
Franco did not look at any of them.
Years of military experience and political turbulence had taught him one truth.
The best way to choose a side was not to choose a side too early.
The best attitude was to never express an attitude until the result became clear.
"Sir!"
An adjutant entered and saluted.
"An urgent telegram has just arrived from Madrid."
Franco sat with his legs crossed, a newspaper in his hands.
His gaze lingered on the text for a moment before he said, "Read it."
"It is an invitation from Sir José in Madrid. He once again invites you to join the Spanish Forward Party and contribute to changing your country."
Franco's expression did not change.
He had no particular affection for José, his old superior who had once promoted him.
It was true that he owed the man a favor, but that was all.
José's military ability was only ordinary. More importantly, he was far too easily influenced by others. If a few monarchists whispered cold words beside his ear, José might even launch an armed coup without properly understanding the situation.
Franco had already known about José's planned coup earlier that year.
Now, the year long effort to win over the right wing, the careful handling of interpersonal relations, and the efficient organization of the Spanish Forward Party were clearly not José's style.
Germany was most likely behind him, offering advice, money, and structure.
This was both good and bad.
The good part was obvious. It could drive out the leftists and stabilize Spain's political situation.
The bad part was just as obvious. With José's diplomatic ability, Spain might very well be completely tied to Germany's great ship.
That was something Franco did not wish to see.
In his view, Germany, Britain, and France were bound to have a war sooner or later. If Spain became too deeply bound to Germany, then when that war erupted, Spain would inevitably have to respond to Germany's call and participate.
Sacrificing the lives of his own countrymen for another country's victory was utter foolishness.
"Sir?"
Seeing Franco fall silent for too long, the adjutant pressed carefully.
Franco folded the newspaper.
"Express gratitude, but neither agree nor refuse. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Franco had already made his decision.
He wanted to see whether the Spanish Forward Party could win the general election before choosing.
If they won, he would join the Spanish Forward Party, then find an opportunity to remove that fool José.
At that time, with his prestige in the army, Germany would certainly choose him as its new partner. Spain would then gain much greater room to maneuver.
If they lost the general election, the Spanish Communist Party would never allow the Forward Party to continue expanding during its years in power. By keeping his distance now, Franco could avoid political suppression later.
The adjutant continued, "Sir, there is also an invitation from the Falange led by Rivera. They hope you will join their faction."
Hearing the name, Franco shook his head.
"Falange? Who?"
"They claim to have Italy's support."
"Italy?"
Franco knew little about that extreme right wing force, but he knew enough about the antagonism between Italy and Germany.
Joining such a party would undoubtedly place him opposite Germany.
On one side stood the world's second largest industrial nation, a country with miracle drugs, an expanding economy, and a newly restored military machine.
On the other side stood Italy.
Although Britain and France had an ambiguous attitude toward Italy and hoped to cultivate it as a European force to balance Germany, Franco would choose the Spanish Forward Party before he ever chose Italy.
Even not choosing at all was better than choosing Italy.
Two months later, the year end general election began as scheduled.
In Madrid, inside the presidential palace, the Spanish Communist Party convened discussions on how to counter the right wing alliance.
Larivich, an elder of the socialist faction, slammed his fist onto the table and roared, "We should imprison all right wingers immediately and learn from Soviet Russia by implementing a one party dictatorship to protect the fruits of our victory over feudal forces."
His eyes were bloodshot.
"Any compromise is betrayal."
Lazic Kalon, an elder of the republican faction who favored moderate dialogue, curled his lips in disdain.
"The current domestic economy and external pressure do not support your fantasy, Mr. Larivich."
He leaned forward, speaking sharply.
"If we truly do as you say, the League of Nations will immediately label us a second Soviet Russia. The suppression that follows will be unimaginable."
Larivich glared at him.
Kalon did not retreat.
"I still believe we should make appropriate concessions. Once we begin imprisoning the right wing, we will directly face war."
His tone became heavier.
"According to my personal estimate, the sacrifices caused by winning such a war would be even greater than those of Soviet Russia's October Revolution."
President Zamora looked helplessly at the two sides confronting each other.
The socialist faction wanted a decisive purge.
The republican faction wanted compromise.
The right wing alliance was growing stronger outside the palace, foreign powers were extending invisible hands into Spain, and the government itself could not even agree on whether to strike or retreat.
After a long silence, Zamora finally spoke.
.....
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