Don Martin diary entry for Monday, January 14, 1918:
Got busy trying to systematize things. Got letters from Mr. Bennett telling me to reorganize any way I wish, and to live either at the Ritz, Claridge or the Savoy. He seems to think I ought to get in touch with everyone of importance in England. Had a talk with Baird and told him what to do. He was so completely shocked that he was unconscious (?) for a couple of hours. It looks to me as if none of the men in the office ever did anything. Dinner at Simpson’s. Wrote to Cooper, McEwan and Jim Hagerty. At Fleet Street till midnight. Read till 1 a.m. Am astounded more and more at the pessimism of the English.
Got busy trying to systematize things. Got letters from Mr. Bennett telling me to reorganize any way I wish, and to live either at the Ritz, Claridge or the Savoy. He seems to think I ought to get in touch with everyone of importance in England. Had a talk with Baird and told him what to do. He was so completely shocked that he was unconscious (?) for a couple of hours. It looks to me as if none of the men in the office ever did anything. Dinner at Simpson’s. Wrote to Cooper, McEwan and Jim Hagerty. At Fleet Street till midnight. Read till 1 a.m. Am astounded more and more at the pessimism of the English.
Weather pleasant.
Besides the letter to the people he mentioned, Don Martin also wrote a letter to daughter Dorothy the night of January 14.In it he projected correctly how the war could end in 1918: If Germany makes her great offensive and fails to break the Allies’ line the chances are that the war will end this year.
My dear Dorothy,
That was a splendid letter you wrote – the first letter I have received from you in London. I got it Saturday, January 12 and it left Silver Creek on Dec. 22. It had not been opened by the censor. I guess he knew it was from you and therefore was all right.
... I have nothing very great to tell you. I go to the offices of the government and learn all they know about the war. Then I write part of it. The censorship is very strict you know but that doesn’t mean, by any means, that the Germans are getting the best of the war. They will get licked all right. I heard Winston Churchill make a speech the other day at the American Luncheon Club meeting. I was a guest. He is one of England’s leading statesmen. I also saw General Maurice, a member of the British military staff. He is on a par with General Haig only he does the battle planning from here. It is very interesting to talk with him.
... I am still living at the Savory and probably will remain here. It is warm and that is a good deal in London. Steam heat as I believe I told you is almost unheard of in England. Everyone uses fireplaces. The floors are cold and one side of you freezes while the other toasts. Still that is the way in all the homes, rich and poor. The Savoy has heat and until spring comes I shall stay here.
... The expectation everywhere is that as soon as it is thawed out a little, the Germans will make a great offensive in France with the intention of defeating England and France before America can get in the war. She will no doubt make a great attack but from all I can learn the Allies are prepared to resist it. If Germany makes her great offensive and fails to break the Allies’ line the chances are that the war will end this year, with Germany beaten. If Germany breaks the Allies’ line and wins a victory, the war will not end but the defeat of Germany will be delayed considerably and will depend upon the Allies holding together and avoiding trouble at home...
... London is a five story city, Dorothy. The highest building is ten stories and nine out of ten are five stories and very old. A really modern building is quite a novelty. But it is a wonderful city. You can walk for five hours and never get out of a lively business district. Everyone seems to have money and the store windows look just about the same as those in Buffalo or New York...
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