Leskovik
9 Nov

My dear Gertrude.

Two letters from you, long & delightful as usual – So the stars in their courses fight for it – and I hope they will do in the desert what their misty images in London promised – I like that idea of yours – of being on terms of friendship with the sun & the starts – only I could never be on terms of friendship with logarithms and the like, the which I utterly abhor – I never used a theodolite but only the sextant, now out of date, and which I have forgotten –

But are you gone? you said in your letter you might stay but probably go on the 13th. This letter will reach Sante Quaranta night of the 10th & on the morning of the 11th start for London – it will just miss you – but I can’t help that – it goes hit or miss to wish you bon voyage, and all the good luck. I’ll write to Beyruit and Damascus –

I wonder where you’ll go – I wish I was coming - & I shall be very glad to hear of your “coming again in the peace and assurances of Allah”-

As for the show, I think there is a hope that I may be forgiven for rushing in where Ambassadors fear to tread – and that they will in effect adopt my line – or nearly that. Grey telegraphed approval today of the 1st proposition – the question is does that mean he does not approve of the second, or the more detailed and important one –

The 1st proposition will not now work – too much water has run under the bridges – but the 2nd still will work if he backs it.

In the meantime it blows & bites & the mountains are covered with snow - & we have a north room without a stove - & with the usual wretched windows - & I think occasionally of the joys of Africa – kust now I am thinking of the joys of Syria –

I do hope you won’t have any trouble over your instruments, but of course it is a great risk. And I hope you’ll use these very little – you’ll really want the field book more than the theodolite, & that’s not very dangerous –

As for politics I am convinced that Italy does not mean to quit Rhodes – when she is spending such money - & why the Adalia Railway concession? This embroilment in Albania is very useful to her –

Here the position is that the Italians & Austrians are ready to work if my line be accepted as general base advance – this was my 2nd idea – the 1st wh is now accepted by Grey was to modify the London conditions, voyage the country and fall into accord thereafter – But the declaration in Athens knocks this out for Italy & Austria – they daren’t move knowing the insistent opposition without some general line, they would sooner break – that is here 0 in London one cannot know how greatly things alter - & how many different strings are pulling –

Austrians & Italians are now so detested that I am for ever afraid of some vulgar howl wh might precipitate things –

And when all is said and done (if it is) who is going to protect the poor villagers from comtadfis [?] That appears to me to be of huge interest & importance – This place is full of Cretans – devils they are, as I know well. And I daresay there are many Albanian sons of Ham waitingfor their chance over the border – I would sooner let the Greeks police it, than leave it empty swept & garnished.

I see by the Times, Tyrell’s voyage to America – I hope this Spring Ria gets better –

Turkey has not made peace – I expect Italy & Austria prick her up – As for Armenia when the English advisers, desired as a counterpoise to Russia, were refused to please Russia, it was evident that Turkey if she could would refuse to have anybody – i.e. as chief. It doesn’t matter – its character that tells & not the fact that you are gazetted to a command – the way is the way of knower & now Richard Crawford – An advisor in command has only the shadow if unpopular – for he is checked & thwarted at every turn. The real thing in the Turkish country is to work through the Turk – give him the credit, take the blame & be his friend, conscience, whatever you like to call it – Of course they won’t have Russians in command of the Armenian provinces – and would you & I.

But you’ll be gone, & before you come again, I wonder where we shall be – I suppose Africa – Thesiger wants to come home - & I know the sum of the thing.

Ma salaami –
Dick.