(Thanks for the help, Fernando Torres, it worked. Experience of WW2 is a great mod
I'll be skipping large amounts of time in between updates, since not much of anything happens before the later part of '39.)
Palacio de la Moneda
Santiago, Chile
2:00 PM June 24, 1937
Alessandri held his head in his hands and sighed, before straightening in his chair. In the table before him stood his ministers, which had not suffered any changes since last year. He drew in a long breath before starting,
"Gentlemen, a lot has happened in the past few months. So much that it is making my head spin. Therefore, I have asked several of you to make a summary of the affairs regarding your department, not only to make it known to all of us, but also so that I may know. A few things may have escaped me in those dreary meetings. Mister Cruchaga, if you please," he said, gesturing towards the Foreign Minister.
Cruchaga sifted through his folders containing reports of everything from trade deals to coups, and finally pulled on out before beginning to speak,
"Much has happened in world affairs recently, some more known than others. In Spain, Madrid was retaken on January 16 by the Republicans, and the destruction of the Nationalist movement was confirmed in late February. Before this, however, there was a militarist coup in Cuba in January, as well as another one in Ecuador in the same month. As I'm sure you all know, a week ago Japan declared war on China, which yesterday managed to temporarily solve its fractured state to fight the common enemy. That, I believe, is everything," after his report, he sat back in his seat.
"Mister Allard?" Alessandri gestured to the Military Intelligence Minister to stand up, which the admiral obliged.
"The Bolivians say we have sent spies to their country, claims which we have denied. This has, of course, soured our already poor relations. However," Allard paused, hoping to create suspense, "I have noticed that the Bolivian army is massing in La Paz, which borders Antofagasta. This is surely an act of belligerance, and measures should be taken to secure our northernmost region."
"Thank you, Julio. Mister Hillman, do you have anything to report?"
"Yes, sir, but it is small. About 3 weeks ago CORFO finished working on a system which will allow us to quickly redeploy our forces across long distances, invaluable when we take into consideration the Andes. They have started working on an improved version of the machine tools made last year."
"Excellent. De la Motte?"
The grand admiral nodded, before standing up and speaking,
"I have reorganized the fleet into a more effective force, with one main fleet and a submarine detachment for patrolling. The latter has been sent to patrol Magellan's Strait, and should have a wider range of operations once the naval base at Punta Arenas is finished in August. Nothing save for a few british and dutch ships have been spotted."
"Good, good. Mister Novoa, if you please."
The balding field marshall rose slowly,
"The Chilean army now consists of 5 infantry divisions, a cavalry division and a mountain division. Of the infantry, 3 divisions are of modern standards. I dare say that, although much better off than before, the army is in a sorry state. Modernisation must be a top priority, as well as the training of more mountain divisions."
"Very well, we shall speak about it later. Mister Mujica, I believe you have something important to say."
Everyone looked on at the Chief of the Air Force. He had been everything but useful since...well, ever.
"I have recieved funding to develop a squadron of airplanes. Outdated biplanes, but they will be our eyes in the sky in case of war. An air base in Santiago should be ready in several weeks."
Although some of the ministers were angry that funding went to something as useless as the Air Force instead of their department, most of them were shocked at the fact that there would actually be one. Alessandri, being the one who had authorized the funding request, smiled to himself at their simplicity. Chile's Air Force would likely never be so much as competent, even he admitted that, but could his ministers be so stupid as to not realize that anything was possible?
If having airplanes was surprising for them, his plans would likely have made them fall off their seats.
