Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)] Dec 1 Dearest Father. I can't say I very much like your paper - at any rate I don't at all like the leaders. As for the comments on Charlie's speech on the L. George American interview I heartily disagree with them. The speech in so far as it was not silly seems to me to have been pernicious - well I won't go on, but I hope you'll keep a sharp hold on Mr Hirst's pen, a sharper hold. With a Govt. like the German there's no good to be got in urging reasonably humanitarian principles. They will be taken merely as a sign of weakness, and any such impression in Germany prolongs instead of shortening the war. For that reason I would much rather hear public talk about the proposed knock out than about the noble Christian sentiments - that was Mr Holt, silly ass - of our army. It will be time enough to talk of mediation, when there's anything to mediate about; till then it's best not mentioned. So far Germany has not hinted at any terms which can be considered as remotely possible to accept, and if she had the American attitude throughout the war wholly disinclines me from letting America have anything to do with the peace. I don't think Mr Hirst has got hold of the common sense of politics whatever he may know of economics and I am inclined to wish that you had nothing to do with the paper.
I'm afraid the Roumanian failure is a serious matter; it looks as if Germany would get hold of a very large additional supply of food stuffs and oil which will materially increase her powers of resistance. It's one of the most disheartening things which has happened.

We had an extraordinarily interesting day with Ibn Sa'ud who is a remarkable person - one of the most striking personalities I've encountered. He is a splendid to look at, well over 6 ft 3, with an immense amount of dignity and self possession. We took him in trains and motors, showed him aeroplanes, high explosives, anti aircraft guns, hospitals, base depots - everything. He was full of wonder but never agape. He asked innumerable questions and made intelligent comments. He's a big man. I wish we could expound to him the science of peace, but we've got to get through this first and hope that the better things will come after. Will they? It's an open question whether we don't do these people more harm than good and one feels still more despairing about it now that our civilization has broken down so completely. But we can't leave them alone, they won't be left alone anyway, and whatever you may feel the world moves on - e pur si muore. Even in Arabia.

It seems to me I'm rather gloomy tonight. I'll go to bed. Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude