Dangos 239 canlyniad

Reply to his father's letter of 04 September 1917. He hopes is father's concert will be a success but wonders why they are singing the Hymn of Praise. Ifor hopes the choir will be singing to Welsh words, which he feels will result in a better performance than if they sang in English. As to their future home; Ifor is attached to his family not the building they live in, however he feels that Swansea is more 'pseudo' than Aberdare.

Discusses parcels (the Selfridge's are improving) and a bank transaction that Ifor thinks may have gone wrong.

Ifor hopes that before his father gets this letter that he will have seen "Papa" Allen. The year has ended well for Ruhlebenites as on Boxing Day a list of the 1st batch of over 45s to be sent home was posted. Over 2 years worth of negotiations has finally produced results. "Papa" Allen's place is to be filled by "Billie" Lyons a London Irish lad two years Ifor's junior. Ifor writes that they get on well; he is giving Billie French lessons. Ifor is still keeping the Celtic section of the school going even though boredom is affecting attendance. He requests an increase in the money his father sends, due to the falling value of the pound to the mark. He finishes with discussing parcels; apparently private parcels are likely to be stopped soon.

Ifor expects to leave on 01 June 1920 and expects to arrive in London on the 2nd or the 3rd. The lamb (David) will be with him and Ifor will be glad to hand him over to his parents when he arrives. He hopes to see B. J. Dale, "Papa" Allen and someone else that he will not name. Therefore he expects to be back home on 05 June 1920. Ifor will be pleased if his parents silver celebration coincides with his stay in London but asks that they not let him interfere with their plans if not. He may go to the country for a while as his finances and his exam will not permit him a long stay in London. Another option suggested by Ifor is that his father visit Paris, he provides details on how this could be done and what they might do while he is there. He also discusses stock and his expectation of a good margin of profit in Dutch bonds. David's learning of French has been a miserable failure and Ifor outlines his frustrations with the boy. As well as congratulating his mother for her efforts on behalf of starving children.

Describes Prague as magnificent and the weather as fairly good. Ifor will stay until Saturday next before heading to Strbske Pleso.

Translation from Welsh: -- Eight years ago today I was held in Germany. -- My dear Father -- Here I am on my travels once again. I arrived here yesterday and was welcomed at the station by the brother of one of my friends in Praha. He came with me through the town this morning and up to the Spilberk (Spielberg), a very famous old prison under the Hapsburg rule. -- With much love -- Ifor.

Sent from Sinaia. Ifor has no news except that he has diarrhoea and the weather is overcast. He is expecting to see Mr Vaitila Bratiaun(?) and will then have a better idea of what his plans for the next 2 to 3 weeks will be.

Ifor writes from the investigatory prison in Neurenburg. ILE thanks him for his card. Please inform ILE's father that he is well, but that he finds himself held as a prisoner in Neurenburg. Could he send 25 pounds to the American Consul there, who will pass the money on to ILE. Could he also send 3 cards to Mrs. Dale, Hughes & Harold to inform them that their sons are all well, but also imprisoned here in Neurenburg. Things are not going too badly, ILE has English friends here.

From Nuremberg. Thanks for postcard. Unfortunately ILE has to inform him he is being held as a prisoner of war in Nuremberg. He hopes to be released in some days. Otherwise he is well. Please send this news on to his father. He fears to die here before the end of the war.

Thanks for letter received today. Returning a card instead of a letter as it is more certain to be received. 3000 marks is wanted to release ILE from confinement. ILE is well and cannot complain about his treatment, but he longs to be released. The prisoners are allowed to walk in the court every day for 3 hours and they can get supplies from the prison or the town. The Consul takes care of them. Please greet his parents.

He dare not attempt the journey from Kerry to Aberdare. He has an important engagement in Emma on the Tuesday and could not possibly make the journey from Kerry to Aberdare and then be home again by Monday.

The writer has received ILE's letter of 30 March with great pleasure. The writer did not do military service during the war, because of his extreme myopia. His health was very good until May 1918 when he caught the flu, which whilst not serious, was very persistent and annoying. He caught the Spanish Influenza when it was at its height in Cerignola. Now he is better, but still somewhat feeble. He hopes to recover fully soon. He understands that ILE was in captivity in Germany during the war, and that this has released him from his sympathies for his German cousins. Does ILE remember his project in Tours for an Anglo-German alliance? Could ILE relate his experiences during his long stay in Germany to the writer. As regards the writer's plans - they are still the same. He hopes to join the consular service. Subsequently he remarks that there are a lot of opportunities for an import-export company in Italy. There are good opportunities here for ILE. If he comes to Italy, he hopes to meet ILE again. And ILE should not find it difficult to learn Italian.

In response to Mr Evan's letter, he encloses a printed report of a statement made to the house that afternoon by the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs (Mr Acland).

Writes that he is pleased that W. J. Evans has had news of his son dated as recently 24 August 1914. He will attempt to send another postcard to Ifor again now that he has a more recent address for him.

Acknowledging receipt of Mr Evans letter of 8th instant on behalf of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He writes that the Foreign Office is doing everything in its power via the American Ambassador, to ensure the safety of British subjects stranded in Germany.

Informing Mr Evans of the expense a Dr Mackeprang has incurred on his behalf. He thinks Mr Evans may wish to write to him himself when sending the money, so supplies his address.

He is glad to hear that he is now in direct communication with his son. He pledges his services should this allowance be withdrawn.

Writes that he has just heard Willie Hodges about Ifor. All they previously knew was that word had been received in September that he was safe in a concentration camp. He writes that Willie had an exciting time and suggests the record of his experiences would be interesting for the school magazine should Mr Evans care to share them.

Confirming receipt of £5 from his father.

A reply to a letter from Mr Evans. He writes that it was a great shock to his father to learn that Ifor was still detained with the civilian police. They were under the understanding that all the prisoners were to be moved to an encampment. Mr Warren explains that when he last saw Ifor he was not in Solitary confinement, as he had been in his first 3 days of detention. Furthermore he believes that judging from what Ifor says about being allowed out for 3 or 4 hours a day, discipline must have been relaxed somewhat.