The question uppermost in Ifor's and the minds of his fellow prisoners is will they be home for Christmas; their chances are looking good. Events are moving forward quickly but Ifor cautions that experience has taught them not to get too optimistic. Ifor expects their reunion to be a joyous one and details is expectation of going down to the polling booth to vote with his parents. Reading the paper takes up time Ifor himself believes should be spent on more serious work. He thinks himself ready for the exam next June but wonders whether it would be worth his while to go to any University. Still law still appeals to him most of all though he hopes to discuss this more once he returns home.
Sent on the day of his 3rd anniversary of leaving home, writing how no one expected him to be gone for this long. He is well and mentions having been vaccinated a fortnight previously. Monotony is their greatest enemy. He describes a concert they held on St David's day and a visit he made to the Rubhleben stage. Ifor writes how he was interested to hear of his father's visit to Mr D. James, who he would like to see himself when he returns home. Also interested in his mother's trip to London to arrange an exchange of civilian prisoners, but fears she will not be successful. Ifor hopes his grandmother is keeping well and has received the postcards he sent (in Welsh). He is reading some of Milton's poems, a task he is finding difficult but worthwhile. Ifor is also part of Mr Masterman's Modern History class. Ifor further discusses how he is keeping the Scholarship exam in mind. He asks his mother to find out from a Mr Scott whether he could take History and offer French only (not German) as an extra subject in the modern language exam. He further explains that he is considering taking the Inter London External but doubts if it will be worthwhile. The parcels being sent by Selfridges are excellent, but he only gets 2 a week. He is not as well provided for as he has been previously but the Danish bread is arriving regularly and is a vast improvement on the Swiss. J. F. Evans will be visiting him for tea tonight.
Ifor acknowledges a postcard he has received from her dated 24 May 1917; the 1st communication he has received for more than 3 weeks. He acknowledges parcels received commenting that they are excellent but complains they lack the ingredients for a serious meal. He then complains about his suppliers. He mentions new hope arising from a meeting at the Hague. He then describes how they can get used to captivity and so long as their parcels arrive they can live fairly comfortably. However homesickness and boredom is an issue. Ifor then asks for news of a number of people (named) and writes how he is glad Willie has recovered from his wounds. He asks his mother to see if Willie can manage to write to him directly. The Welsh society is progressing along, but the heat of late is sapping people's energy. The temperature makes it difficult for Ifor to work but he is getting some reading done and is engrossed in some Shakespeare. He has also started Spanish classes and is continuing to work with Masterman's class. He asks how Gu is keeping, the censor would not let his last card in Welsh past. Ifor has received a letter from Mr Griffiths and will reply to him soon. Ifor asks his mother to pass on his kindest regards to Mrs Dale and explains he sees B. J. quite often and passes on news of him. He finally mentions 'papa' Allen who has been unwell of late and unlucky with previous exchanges. He finishes with asking for coal tar soap and Kolynes.
Sends thanks for Ifor's letter and his recommend of Wycliffe to Mr Richards. He writes that they currently have many more applicants than vacancies and is not expecting any considerable number to arise until Christmas. Furthermore he says that Ifor did not tell him nearly as much about himself in his letter as he wished but hopes he is enjoying life. He also adds that he has just heard that the contingent of Wycliffe boys are keeping loyal to Wycliffe traditions.
Returning Mr Evans correspondence from Ifor. He apologises for being so late in returning them; his nephew has been extracting sections for publication in the 'Star'. He cannot understand why the German authorities stopped the letter he sent to Ifor himself. Mr Sibly finds it very interesting that Ifor is leading an intellectual life and feels he is lucky to have intellectual companions.
Writes that he would like to hear any news Mr Evans hears about his son. Mr Sibly writes that the war will upset the career that Ifor planned for himself, but hopes his study of modern languages continues. He then goes on to disagree with a statement that Mr Evans had made stating that European Civilisation had broken down entirely. Discussing what he believes to be the causes of the present war and what is likely to bring their country to ruin in the long run.
Note written on the back signed by W. M. T. says that this letter should be passed on to Mrs Evans. The letter provides information on Ifor's movements; he went to the south of Germany in July when he left Gibbon's pension, in consequence of the war he was detained for being an Englishman in Nuremberg. It also states that in his last postcard Ifor claimed his parents had sent him enough money.
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.
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).
Acknowledges receipt of his valued favour of the 18 instant. As regard to Ifor, he is still detained in Germany. If Mr Harper will supply Ifor's address they will communicate with him and try and obtain information of him for his parents. They will be pleased to render him or his parents any assistance they can.
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.
He thanks her for the letters she has sent, they give 1st hand evidence of German methods. He writes that he cannot understand why Ifor has been rearrested and hopes he is freed again soon and able to continue with his studies. He writes that the war must have upset all his plans for the winter, others Mr Rees says that he thinks Ifor would have had a good chance of landing a Scholarship. -- Mr Rees write of another Mr Evans he knows studying his PhD in Berlin, he describes how he is pessimistic of being able to finish.
Writes how strange it is that Ifor has ended up in the very same place as a Mr D. Evans who had stayed with John on his way back to Germany. He is sure that they will make each other's acquaintance soon. Mr Rees has only just recently heard from Mr D. Evans. He has asked for many things so John thinks they are in great straits; he doubts he will get anything he sends. John writes that the war is terrible; the sight of a Red Cross Ambulance train the previous Tuesday made him feel sick.
In reply to Mr Evans note he is requesting further information to better assist with his son's case. He states that this is the first case he has heard of caution money being demanded.
