again possess the Turks, instead of England. The Turkish Army, the very finest fighting army in the world, was ours for the asking, and “_Peace--perfect Peace_” in India, Egypt and Persia; but we’ve chucked it all away because we have had d--d fools as our Ambassadors! But how can it be otherwise unless you put in men from outside, like for instance Bryce at Washington? Our strength is Mahomedan, but we are too d--d Christian to see it! and fool about Armenian atrocities and Bulgarian horrors! Tories and Radicals are both the same. Isn’t it wonderful how we get along! I repeat again to you my copyright lines:-- “Time and the Ocean and some Guiding Star In High Cabal have made us what we are!” Look at Delagoa Bay, that might have been ours--indeed _was_ ours only we “fooled” it away! Look at Lord Granville and the Cameroons! Well! I haven’t given Leishman away, I don’t think! The real German _bonne bouche_ was the complete belt across Africa, but this only if the right of pre-emption as regards the Belgian Congo could have been acquired. I simply tremble at the consequences if the British Redcoats are to be planted on the Vosges Frontier [meaning the dread of Conscription and a huge Army for Continental Warfare]. * * * * * 1911. _October 10th._ LUCERNE. ... I yesterday had a long letter from McKenna begging me to return and “put the gloves on again,” and in view of his arguments I am going to do so when A. K. Wilson vanishes early next year! It is, however, distasteful to me. I’ve had a lovely time here. * * * * * 1911. _October 29th._ REIGATE PRIORY, SURREY. ... I am here 3 days with Winston and many of the Cabinet. I got a very urgent letter to come here, and I think my advice has been fully and completely digested, but don’t say a word, please, to a soul! I am returning direct to Lucerne on Wednesday, after Tuesday at Kilverstone. * * * * * 1911. _November 9th._ LUCERNE. These are very ticklish times indeed! I have got to be extremely careful. I must not get between Winston and A. K. W. in any way--it would not only be very wrong but fatal to any smooth working. So I begged Winston not to write to me. With extreme reluctance I went to Reigate as I did, but McKenna urged me on the grounds of the good of the Navy, and from what Winston has since said to a friend of mine I think I did right in going. * * * * * 1911. _December._ LUCERNE.