Providing the address of Mr J. H. Hague in Holland. Mr Evans has already written to him to thank him for his services and express regret that this has resulted in him receiving unpleasant enquiries from the Foreign Office. He has written to Ifor to ask if he wishes the caution money (3000 marks) to be sent to him. Mr Evans trusts Ifor's judgement and wishes to do what he thinks best. However he has little trust in German Officialdom and suspects that any money sent will remain there.
Acknowledges parcels but in not as many as previously. He finds it surprising that the 2 he has received are at the maximum weight allowance and does not think they are worth what his father pays for them. Ifor has sent a letter recommending parcels from France; J. F. Evans receives Heinz goods from Penarth and complains about Selfridge's. Necessity has forced Ifor to abandon his vegetarianism; asks for ham and bacon. Ifor details his golf and the lessons he has been taking, he believes this should prove advantageous when he goes to Cambridge; his knee and temperament rules out rougher sports. He will therefore be very grateful for his clubs and for half a dozen balls every 3 months. He does not want his father to worry about his knee. He details the trouble he is recently had and the treatment he has had. B. J. Dale's accident has proven more serious but he too is on the mend. A tobacco parcel has recently arrived though Ifor is surprised the mixture his mother has sent is not nicotine free; it would appear that the mixture is too strong for Ifor. He would like to make changes to his tobacco order and asks for 100 nice cigarettes.
He has received word from the mother of one of Ifor's fellow prisoners. She has informed Mr Evans that her son and two other Englishmen have been released on grounds of being unfit for military service. In the same post they also had a card from Mrs Dales informing them of her son's (B. J. Dale) release from prison and that he is now staying once again at Hotel Trfgle(?). Mr Evans is anxious owing to his own son having not yet being free from confinement and is concerned that he would appear to have been separated from those he has befriended. He asks Mr Dale to wire a friend in Copenhagen to see if any news can be obtained of Ifor's situation.
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/-.
Encloses a letter he has received from the Foreign Office concerning Ifor. He also writes that he believes that others imprisoned with Ifor are permitted out around the town. So he would expect that Ifor must also have a degree of freedom.
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.
Acknowledging 2 parcels he has received, listing the contents. He writes that all the goods were of good quality but difficult to live off for a week. His father misunderstands him; his father has said he should be difficult given the circumstances. Ifor on the other hand feels Selfridges should not be permitted to profit from the situation.
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.
Ifor struggles to write interesting letters given the present circumstances but is pleased to have a good reason on this occasion. That reason being that old Dale has broken his arm playing tennis. Ifor is well but expecting 1 if not 2 more years captivity. Then he discusses prisoner exchanges and his hopes for papa Allen. He discusses the parcels he has received and the deliveries he would like his father to arrange in preparation for the winter. He also briefly mentions the Great Duff scandal (involved someone making money from prisoners of war). Ifor finishes with a quotation from Heine.
He writes to Mr Evans thinking it will ease his mind to learn that he knows for a certainty that the prisoners of war were to be placed in the hands of the military authorities, after a few days confinement. This should result in much better treatment. Mr Warren understands that the American Consul is willing to send money to prisoners of war; to his knowledge he has lent several Englishmen at Nuremberg money. Any money deposited with any American Consul on the continent can be paid out by another. Desmond writes that Ifor sees this as an excellent opportunity to learn German. He further states that he does not believe that his detention will last long.
ILE thanks his parents for their letter. He is in the concentration camp at Ruhleben, not far from Berlin. He is well and buys something extra to eat. He is overjoyed that Dale & Hughes are here as well. Writes every Monday.
Writes that she regrets not being able to supply further information. She states that other Englishmen have been released after a short arrest and cannot say why Ifor has been detained. Louise writes that the prisoners at Nuremberg are being well treated so Mrs Evans does not have any cause for concern. She cannot suggest a means of communicating with Ifor or sending the money requested. However she provides the details of the American minister at the Hague who may be able to help.
States that s/he started making enquiries about Ifor upon receipt of his letter of 16 September. Starting with the Hotel Trefzer? where he had been staying and then the criminal police. From the latter s/he learnt that Ifor had been imprisoned as a prisoner of war at the investigation prison (68 Barenschanz? St). S/he visited Ifor there this afternoon; he looked well and in good health, had nothing to complain about except the lack of freedom. He is allowed to read, work and send letters (under surveillance). He can also have what food his means allows him. He'll also be set free upon the payment of 5000 marks (£250) surety, to be deposited in the Royal State Bank. The criminal police has suggested that the matter should be put to Ifor's parents. In the letter it is noted that Ifor has expressed doubts over whether the £250 would be kept safe.
Message of thanks from Mary Harold for passing on word of the joint transmission of parcels. Due to being so far north they don't always receive the London papers until it is too late to act on the information contained. She then describes what she has sent and mentions that though they missed the joint transmission and are still in London, Mr Gaston has said he will do his best to ensure delivery. Mary feels it is risky sending things out when the solders aren't receiving things, but writes that they will just have to hope they will be delivered. Finally she hopes that teachers will be set free next.
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.
Sent from Bamberg. Informs her that he has safely arrived in Bamberg after an interesting day; Ifor has had a tire punctured and experienced miserable weather.
