Dangos 230 canlyniad

Writing with news of Mr Ifor L. Evans who he met in Nuremberg last month. He states that all Englishmen liable for military service were arrested and detained, but some (including himself) were set free after a medical officer had determined they were unfit for service. Desmond now believes that the prisoners have been moved to Nuremberg and explains he has been informed that they will be permitted some amount of liberty. He has passed Ifor's name on to the American Consul and (once in London)put his case to the Foreign Office, the latter is in the process of trying to arrange an exchange. Mr Warren encloses a message given to him by Ifor as well as papers given to him by the Foreign Office. He says that Ifor did not seem very down cast about his detainment and hopes that any further news of Ifor could be passed onto him.

Mr Darnell also has a son detained in Germany and is sending his condolences and best wishes.

Gives advice to her aunty as to what items are best to send to the front; advice based on how hot the current climate is in Germany.

Thanks ILE's mother for her card, and taking an interest. ILE states that his mother speaks French, so he can use his maternal language, forgive him the momentary lack of his paternal language. ILE sends his love.

She has recently received a postcard from her son Harry and is reporting their boys are well and appear to be getting their parcels. Mrs Davies writes that she is getting better and is able to get downstairs some days. Her eldest son Dick has just had his commission having been given an excellent report from his commanding officer.

Mr Dale writes to inform Mr and Mrs Evans that he has been included in the list of prisoners transferred from Ruhleben to Holland. He has taken this opportunity to send Ifor's parents a few lines informing them that their son is well and in good spirits. He writes that he wishes there was some hope of Ifor being transferred soon, but it would appear that the exchange was limited to those who had suffered either mentally or physically. He says that in his case he is physically fit but writes that not all is as it should be; Mr Dale expects to get better treatment now he is in Holland. Mr Dale is finding the Hague a very pleasant place and will be going to see an opera (Madam Butterfly) for the first time in 4 years. He says that Mr and Mrs Evans need not be anxious about Ifor as Ruhleben is a very different place to what it was 1914-15. Though he writes that most of the improvements have been implemented and paid for by the interned themselves. The best that can be said of the Germans is that they left them alone. Mr Dale goes on write about Ifor's work in the camp school, claiming that everyone that has ever had anything to do with him has nothing but the highest opinion of his abilities. He hopes to pick up his friendship with Ifor again in the near future.

Mary Harold has often thought of Mrs Evans and whether or not she had sent the parole money demanded by Germany for her son. Mrs Harold has received the same demand herself and had wired Mrs Evans about the matter but had the message blocked by the censors. She feels their sons may not understand why they won't send the money and that the foreign office wouldn't permit it anyway. Mrs Harold mentions that her second daughter has left the country with her little girl to be with her husband, who can't return to Britain due to the hostilities. She believes that their sons are better off in prison, believing that once the German population realises they have been misled, they will rise up in rebellion. Mary wonders if their sons are still in Nuremberg having read in the papers that those in Bavaria have been moved elsewhere.

Mary is writing about communications being cut, she mentions that not even the solders can write back home and mentions that some families with relatives imprisoned in other parts of Germany have had no word for 3 weeks. She attaches two newspaper cuttings on the treatment of prisoners in Germany, one mentions the temporary cutting of communications from the camp as a result of infringement of the regulations at Ruhleben camp by some prisoners.

Mr Ken Hardie desires that Mr Price be informed that all particulars about Mr Ifor L. Evans have been forwarded to the American Consul in London. The US Consul has been informed that any telegram expenses will be promptly refunded.

Writes that forwarding letter to Germany is no inconvenience or risk. Even if there was he would still do so for Ifor's parents. He explains that they should not mention anything about the war.

In answer to letter 16th the writer has made enquiries after ILE, first at his hotel Trefser and then at the Criminal Police Headquarters, where he was speedily informed, that ILE, like other nationals of states now at war with Germany - there are Montenegrins, English and some Russians here in Neurenburg - has been interned as a prisoner of war and is currently in the investigatory prison (Barenhoelz Strasse 68), a hygienically excellent new building surrounded by gardens. The writer visited ILE this afternoon. The neat and loveable young man, who was in Neurenburg to study the German language, looked well and healthy, was pleased to be visited and did not have any complaints, except of course his lack of freedom. He can read, work, write and - under supervision - is allowed to correspond - though he did recently have a letter sent by him to a contact in the Netherlands returned as undeliverable. He can eat as he pleases within his means. For a bond of 5000 marks to be deposited at the Kgl. Hauptbank here in Neurenburg, and under the condition that he will not leave or change his place of residence without informing the authorities, he can be released from prison and be allowed to go back to stay at his hotel. I have been informed that the American embassy is already undertaking steps to raise the necessary bounties with English money. These sums naturally will be repaid to the last heller and pfennig at the end of the war. The family of Mr. Evans need to consider whether they wish to do this though ILE was not so sure. The writer assured him that this bond would be as safe in the Kgl. Hauptbank as if it was in the Bank of England. Letter breaks off at this point.

The picture on the back contains a view of the residence to the Grand Duke of Sachsen Weimar, which Ifor visited about 2 weeks previously. Ifor explains how he has not been well but is currently feeling much better. He also explains that the locals very much fear possible war with Russia.

He explains that he is quite comfortable in Nuremburg but under no condition permitted to leave the city. Ifor fears he may have to winter in Nuremburg and requests that his parents send £25 on receipt of this letter. As direct communication between England and Germany is cut off, he explains how they should send the sum requested. He expresses hope for an exchange and explains that his parents can keep themselves informed by writing to the foreign office. Ifor goes on to say that he currently has a nice room at a bed and breakfast; he obtains his meals from 'one or other of the Vegetarian restaurants here'. Fortunately Ifor is not alone sharing the hotel with a number of other detained British subjects (named). He is in good health, exercises daily and is starting to work. Above all he asks his parents not to worry.

He sends thanks for her postcard, but reports that he has not yet met the people she mentions. Ifor fears being stuck there for Christmas and mentions that Xmas parcels are expected after the 5th of the month. He requests that his mother sends him some pudding, mince pies, cake as well as listed selection of books. He is keeping well and is quite comfortable having purchased a sleeping sack. Ifor finishes by sending best wishes from Dale.

Ifor is letting his parents know that he feels that it has been a long time since he has last heard from them. He notes that sent parcels are still missing, however he states once again that the birthday parcel and the biscuits were most acceptable. Ifor is asking for 100 marks to be sent each month; he apparently spends approximately 15 marks each week. He stresses that his time is not being wasted and briefly outlines what he is learning. Ifor hopes his parents are well, asks after Willie and asks that they write to him as much as possible. He asks how Prince is, then requests that they send him a dozen handkerchiefs and knitted stockings.

Ifor sends thanks for postcards sent the 26th February and 4th, 5th and 9th March; he observes that postcards seem to take a day longer coming from Geneva and recommends trying through Holland. Mr Heck has written to Ifor offering to act as a middleman for his correspondence; Ifor hopes that sending money through him will result in a better exchange. He pledges to write a letter in a day or so.

Once again Ifor sends thanks for parcels and postcards. He asks that his parents pass on his thanks to Mrs D. P. Davies and Mr Jack Jones for the things they have sent him. Ifor says that their party is still together and in as good spirits as can be expected given the circumstances. The bread from Whiteley's arrived for Dale and himself in reasonable condition. Finally he sends thanks for the Tabacco and Eau de Colgne.

Thanking his mother for regular parcels and her generosity. He has received books from Smith's and is very happy to have Marshall's Principles of Economics which he works on each day. Ifor sends special thanks for the Welsh language books; he manages to find the time to study the language.

He is thanking his Dad for spending so much time on an 'unfortunate and undeserving son'. Following on he writes that he should not worry if the mail becomes irregular, he shall write regularly all the same. Ifor requests to have his Student's Handbook to Cambridge sent to him as well as New Cambridge Curriculum in Economics, it's Purpose and Plan by Marshall. The card finishes with 'poor old prince'.