Dear Mr. Ponachi? With the last post I have received a card from Leslie Evans with the following contents: Please inform his father that he is well, but held as a prisoner of war in Nuremberg. Please send 25 pounds to American Consulate. He can also send postcards there. Please also inform Mrs. Dale, Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. MacDuff their sons are well. Next part is illegible. All well and treated well. Went walking for 2 hours. Writer is at disposal addressee. He hopes there will be peace soon. Jacob Rosenstein Note written on the back in Italian.
Mrs Harold hopes that the introduction of home rule at Ruhleben is a sure sign that the Germans are running out of men. She writes that her youngest son is well and that the outdoor life seems to suit him. Her only other son will be enlisting next week; as he gives his father a considerable amount of help she doesn't know how they cope. Mary has also had word from one of her daughters that is staying in Rio de Geneva; she sends word of 2 friends that have been killed. Mary then describes a tragic incident on the front which left the university coy (company?) with only 12 members. She also mentions that the problems she is having with her eyes are getting worse.
Regarding a letter Mr Hoyle had sent to Professor Fungersen, requesting he contact Herr Leister in Suhl to find out any news he has on Ifor Leslie Evans. Attached is the reply from Herr Leister of 16 September 1914 (attached), which gives details of Ifor's situation.
Mary writes that she is pleased to see that Mrs Evan's shoulder is getting better, but sorry to hear that Ifor has hurt his knee. She had not heard the news of the civilians being returned home; only 7 British and 1 American with 4 women held back. Mary explains that she did not hear about the Swiss bread from John but from the papers, along with butter being sent for the prisoners being sold by the Germans. She explains about John having to take his decorations down and discusses his parcels. Her son in training is ill and not able to go to France, he may never go. This would greatly upset him as he wishes very much to go.
Includes a transcript of a card from Ifor that he should receive in the same post. Transcript included in case the card does not arrive. He asks that Mr Evans be informed that his son was well the last time he saw him. Mr Rosenstein will be happy to do anything else he can for Ifor if needed.
Writes that he will do everything he can to help but cautions that the military authorities are opposed to individual exchanges. The cases which his correspondent refers to were special exchanges arranged against the German Consular Offices.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Translation from Welsh:-- Dear Leslie, -- Thank you for your letter. I think that my last letter made you quite agitated. -- Firstly let me congratulate you on your success in the exam, although of course I did not expect anything less. I hope you will continue to work easily during the coming years. -- Many thanks for the third book that you sent me. I have now read all three and I must say that they are very interesting in their simplicity. -- Now to the main topic. I can quite understand that you are tired of waiting for me come to some agreement. I am nearly always unsettled in my mind or rather long in coming to a decision. I am very sorry that I cannot promise to be your intended wife, and as you are determined to receive an immediate answer, I now have to break any connection forever. I can imagine what you will think of me after you have read this news and you will be dissatisfied that I did not say this to you before now and think that the little correspondence between us was a waste of time. I would never had agreed to write to you if it wasn't for the fact that I loved you better than any other boy that I have met and I do not regret thinking about our relationship, because it was completely platonic. -- I hope that you will continue to be a friend to me (perhaps in some light-hearted way) but I think that we will see each other only infrequently. -- I can't see my way clear at all in preparing myself to be a wife to you. Circumstances are totally against me as I will have to return home before the end of the year, more's the pity. -- I am having a good time on this island, and am learning to swim and row every day. We wander quite a lot here as well. -- I will finish now, hoping that you will have a good holiday this year as last year, as I believe that this will do so much good to you physically but even more spiritually or mentally. -- Farewell for now with best possible wishes for your future. -- From Anne -- P.S. Don't think that someone has influenced me in this choice. I have not asked anyone for advice or anything and no one knows my circumstances. I shall do my best to be fair with you. You will now be free to arrange your future as you wish.
Thanks for card of 7th this month. ILE is well. Please inform parents I can be released from prison in Nuremberg in return for 3000 marks bounty. Dale and Hughes have been released in the town for the last 3 weeks because of their health. Send greetings to my family.
2nd postcard of this date. There is still at least 15 months before their release, Ifor is convinced. Ifor has taken up golf and would like his clubs sent out to him. This has been permitted for his fellows and the Central Committee allows 6 new balls every 3 months. Finally he would like the monthly allowing reduced from £3 to 30/-.
Informs that Mr Ifor Leslie Evans is a guest of the citizens of Leith upon his return from Germany. Smith's Restaurant and Rooms, Duke Street have been reserved as a "Hospitality House" where meals will be served and railway tickets issued.
